Eileen McShane

Eileen McShane (Gannon) passed away on July 28, 2025 at South Shore Hospital, surrounded by her sons, Harry and David; her daughters-in-law, Michelle (Nulty) and Rosa (Fina); and her grandchildren, Julianne and David Jr. She is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Harold, who passed in May 2024, her six siblings, and her parents.

Eileen was born in East Boston in 1932 to Austin and Mary Gannon. She joined her older siblings Austin Jr., Mary, Anna, Rita, and John; her sister Dottie followed a year after Eileen was born. Eileen’s mother and her aunt, Annie O’Donnell, worked hard to support the children after Austin Sr. died when Eileen was young; Eileen spoke of her love and appreciation for her mother’s and her Auntie Anna’s sacrifices until the last days of her life. Eileen’s strong work ethic, devout Catholic faith, and her love of reading developed in her early years. She began working at the New England Telephone Company after she graduated high school and worked there for more than 30 years.

Eileen met her husband, Harold, in Waltham around 1954. They got engaged in the Boston Public Garden and married in 1956 at St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown. They held their reception at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston, where Eileen’s mother spent years working in the kitchen to support her family and where Eileen and Harold later celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.

Eileen and Harold moved to Watertown, where they lived with Eileen’s mother and welcomed Harry in 1959; David was born in 1962. Eileen was devoted to her children, serving as the den mother for their Cub Scouts troop and a lunch mother and PTA President at their schools. She was elated when her sons later married Rosa and Michelle, whom she called “the two best daughters-in-law.”

After the death of her mother, Eileen and her family moved to Newton, where they lived until 1998; they also had a condo in Naples, Florida, where they spent the winters and enjoyed golfing, spending time with their family of friends at Fountains V, and attending mass at St. Peter’s. Her “heaven on Earth” was her cottage in Falmouth, where she lived next door to her sister Rita and across the street from her sister Mary. She spent her summer days there visiting Bristol Beach, where she later loved bringing her grandchildren.

After leaving Newton, Eileen and Harold spent more than 20 years in Centerville. Harold and Eileen spent many weekends hosting Julianne and David on the Cape, where they played mini golf and card games and Eileen doled out her words of wisdom to her grandchildren.

Eileen spent the last few years of her life in Marshfield, where she enjoyed attending mass with Rosa on Sundays; getting manicures with Michelle and Rita, before her death; and spending time with her sons and extended family after Harold passed. Known for her wit and sense of humor, Eileen remained true to herself until the last days of her life. She spent them with her family, reminiscing on her favorite memories and dropping some of her classic one-liners. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A visitation will be held on Sunday August 3, 2025 from 3-6pm at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Road, Scituate. A Funeral Mass will take place on Monday August 4, 2025 at 11am a Our Lady of Victory Parish, 230 S Main Street Centerville, MA

If you would like to livestream the Funeral Mass on Monday morning, please visit the church website at olvparish.org