Mary Faas Shea, 67

Mary Faas Shea, 67, of Hendersonville passed away Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock.

Born Aug. 14, 1947, and raised in West Islip, Long Island, N.Y., she also was a long-time resident of Belmont, Mass., before moving to Hendersonville just eight months prior to her passing.

Mary was the devoted wife of the late Alfred (Al) D. Shea who died in 2012. She was also preceded in death by her father, Charles W. Faas, Jr. (d. 2011) and her brothers, Charles W. Faas III (d. 1962), Harry Wooldridge Faas (d.2006) and James Weldon Faas (d. January 2014).

Mary attended and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in Babylon, L.I. and the all-girls Hewlett High School. She was a graduate of Mt. Ida Junior College and Keuka College and earned her teaching degree while there. She moved to the Boston area at age 23 where she was employed for 36 years as a teacher of second grade children at Winn Brook Elementary of Belmont, Mass., until her retirement in 2006. While teaching some of the children of parents she had taught earlier, Mary loved and enjoyed every day and year while earning so many friendships, young and old. She was a member of a fun group of colleagues called "The Blaney Bunch," named for a favorite school principal, which met for yearly reunions, the most recent, she sadly missed since it was held the November 1st passing.

Mary and Al were avid sailors. Their red hulled Catalina, "The Tabasco," joined other friends' Catalinas as they cruised New England bays, coves and harbors. Then there was another group of girlfriends who were quite competitive at doubles tennis. Mary and Al's neighbors were close friends and a cherished part of her extended family. She leaves behind so many who loved her for her smile, her infectious laugh, her love for dancing and her zest for life.

In her childhood, Mary's family joined the Babylon Yacht Club where she developed a love for the Great South Bay, sailing and racing a Blue Jay class of sailboat. A large group of BYC fathers had built these sailboats from kits on winter weekends as their children, including Mary, watched and "helped" in awe.

Mary is survived by her mother, Marie Wooldridge Faas of Hendersonville; brothers, Peter R. Faas, Sr. of Hendersonville, John B. Faas and wife, Jeanne, of Roswell, Ga., and Thomas P. Faas and his wife, Vikki, of Islip, N.Y.; daughters-in-law, Marilyn Faas of Orlando, Fla., Carol Faas of Jamaica, VT, and Valerie Coward of Denver, Colo. Also surviving are an aunt, Berry Faas Muirhead of Farmington, Conn., and many cousins, nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 in Our Lady of the Angels Chapel of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Reverend Martin Schratz, OFM Capuchin, will officiate. Another memorial service will be held at a later date in Belmont, MA.

To offer condolences online, please visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.