Barbara Ellen Shea

Barbara Ellen Shea—“’Tis herself”—was an only child born and raised in Peabody, Massachusetts, the beloved daughter of Raymond and Kathryn Poor. Surrounded by the constant love of her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, she grew up cherishing the deep family bonds that would define her life.

Educated in Catholic schools from childhood through graduation, Barbara rarely spoke directly about her faith, yet she lived it fully and quietly. Through her kindness, humility, and generosity of spirit, she embodied the very heart that Jesus asks of us—a life rooted in compassion.

With her husband Charlie—“’Tis himself”—she built her own family in Wakefield, in a neighborhood just off Oak Street affectionately known as the “Land of Make-Believe.” It was here that she raised her children, surrounded by neighbors who quickly became lifelong extensions of her family.

Over the years, Barbara worked in a number of places, but she held a special fondness for her time at the Kendall Flower Shop in Cambridge, owned and operated by close friends. Later, she spent 26 years at Gochis Insurance in Burlington, where the Gochis family became yet another cherished branch of her ever-growing extended family. She retired—reluctantly—at the age of 82.

Barbara embraced everyone she met—family, friends, and strangers alike—and loved them with her whole heart. She took genuine interest in people and was a constant source of support: a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, a place to stay, a ride home in the middle of the night, or a most dedicated cheerleader in life . Time and distance never diminished her connections. She checked in faithfully, remembered everyone, and kept people close long after their lives first touched hers.

Her greatest joy was her family: her children Timothy Shea, Ellen Shea (Taylor) Arsenault, and Lora Gmelch; her seven grandchildren—Bobby, Shane, Shamus, and Connor Taylor; Tara Shea; Bridget and Kathleen Gmelch; and her five great-grandchildren—Raquel, Paige, Luca, Nathan, and Nora. Her family grew even larger with the addition of the Arsenault family, blessing her with three more grandchildren and eight more great-grandchildren.

Barbara found purpose in being present for others and helping wherever there was need. She cherished all the people who filled her life.

She is also remembered as the sister-in-law of Richard and Deborah Shea, Philip and Joyce Shea, Frank and Sharon Shea, Robert and Anne (Nancy) Collins, and Judy Shea; and as mother‑in‑law to Phyllis Shea, Kevin Gmelch, and Kerry Arsenault.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main Street, Wakefield on Monday, March 30 at 10:30am. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Sunday, March 29 from 1-4pm. Interment, Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield.