Janet S. Shiels

Janet S. (Mahanna) Shiels, age 71, of Braintree, passed peacefully, Friday, December 12, 2025 in the comfort of her home where she lived for the past forty-three years, surrounded by her loving family.

Janet was born in Boston, to the late Russell S. and Mary (Murad) Mahanna. Raised in Boston's South End, she was a graduate of Girls Latin High School, Class of 1972. She attended the University of Massachusetts Boston and Suffolk University. She was employed for twenty years in a variety of roles within Quincy Public Schools, and retired as a speech assistant.

Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband of forty-seven years, Robert J. Shiels of Braintree, daughter Katherine E. (Shiels) O'Connell and her husband Daniel of Weymouth, step-son Matthew Shiels and his wife Leah of Hull, and step-son Andrew Shiels and his partner Jennifer of Worcester. She was also an adoring Sittoo to Charlotte, Theodore, Ariel, and Harper. She is lovingly remembered by her siblings, her dear sister Jean Marie Mahanna, and her brothers Paul and Thomas Mahanna. Janet will be missed dearly by many cousins, nieces and nephews, and her close friends.

Janet was a woman of faith and longtime active member of the former Saint Thomas More Parish in Braintree, and Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish at Sacred Heart Church in Weymouth. She was a member of the sodality prayer group and served as a Eucharistic Minister for the church, where she made many friendships.

She loved to shop and was talented with knitting and quilting. She supported her husband Robert's veteran activities as a member of the Boston Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. Her home and heart were also kept full by her sweet dog Penelope and the cherished memory of her beloved companions, Belle and Rilee.

Most of all, her happiness was found in the great love of her life, her husband, Robert. She adored being a mother to her greatest gift, her daughter Katie, and becoming a grandmother to her sweet grandchildren, who brought endless joy into her life.

Memorial Visiting Hours will be held at the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, Quincy, on Sunday, December 21, from 2 - 5 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish at Sacred Heart Church, 72 Washington Street, Weymouth, on Monday, December 22, at 11 a.m. Inurnment to follow at Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.

For those who wish, donations in Janet's memory may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 55 Commercial Street, Weymouth, MA 02188.