Denise Ann Shanahan

With heavy hearts, we are saddened to announce the passing of Denise A. Shanahan, of Eastham, MA, on February 20, 2025, at the age of 86 at Cape Cod Hospital following a short illness.

Denise was born on October 9, 1938 to the late Dennis Shanahan and Madeline (Sutton) Shanahan in Waterbury, CT. She attended schools in Waterbury, and following graduation from Waterbury Catholic High School in 1956 she joined the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth. She was very sincere in her religious beliefs. After graduating from St. Elizabeth College she taught in a parochial school in Jersey City for two years. She then attended the Hospital of Saint Raphael School of Nursing in New Haven, CT, where she later worked and established the first psychiatric unit.

She began her employment at Waterbury Hospital in 1969, eventually becoming an Associate Director of Nursing. She earned a Master's Degree in Hospital Administrative Services at the Hartford Graduate Center in CT. She then became Director of the Nursing Department at Waterbury Hospital in 1977, and was later named Vice President of Patient Care Services. In this role, she was instrumental in establishing the first psychiatric unit and advancing the role of psychiatric nurses.

Having spent summers vacationing with her family as a child on Cape Cod, and developing a love of this area, she built a home in Eastham in 1979 and permanently moved here shortly after. On Cape she worked in various healthcare settings including Cape Cod Hospital, Special Care Services, Chatham-Orleans VNA, and Bayada Home Health Care.

She loved gardening, reading, and Sudoku. She volunteered at The Terraces in Orleans and earlier served on the Eastham Board of Health.

She is survived by her brother, Donald Shanahan, niece, Tara Shanahan, and nephew, Colin Shanahan, all of CA. She is also survived by her long-time loving friend and companion, Norma Shidlovsky, and Norma's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who always considered Denise an important part of their family.

On Denise's behalf, Norma would like to thank Father Peter, Father David, Deacon Norm, Deacon Skip, Lisa Scapellati, and her beloved Holy Rosary Friends from St. Joan of Arc Church. Norma also extends her great appreciation for the compassionate care Denise received from the ICU staff and Dr. Kyle Harvey at Cape Cod Hospital.

Denise will forever be remembered for her quiet, humble, kind and generous spirit. Rest well, Denise, in the loving arms of our heavenly Father.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday March 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church in Orleans. A private Celebration of Life will be held following the Mass.