MARY KEEGAN SHIA

1950 - 2022

SHIA, Mary Keegan Age 71, of Watertown, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. She was born to the late James and Anne (Heffernan) Keegan on May 22, 1950 in Kildare, Ireland. She completed school in Ireland before moving to the United States where she met and married Wei-Lee and raised their family in Brookline. She worked for herself for many years and went on to obtain her undergraduate degree from University of Massachusetts and her Master's in Anthropology from Harvard University. She worked as the director for development at Harvard University School of Design for many years raised funds for various scholarships such as Edman Rice Scholarship, and went on to work in a similar capacity for Institute for International Urban Development before moving to Mass Bay Community College to work for their development office as a vice president. While she was there, she earned the McKenzie award for the highest level of service voted on by the president, faculty and student for her years of dedication and hard work. She will be remembered by the many students that she helped over the years to achieve their goal of education and a career. She is lovingly remembered by her beloved husband, Wei-Lee; and three children Derek (Kara) Shia of Madison, Connecticut, Ashling (Late James) Casselman of Brighton, and Mitchel Shia of Cambridge. She will be forever remembered by her six adoring grandchildren Eric, Wyatt, Madison, Cormac, Samantha, and Beckett; as well as her siblings Larry, James, Antoinette, Tony, Declan, Aiden, and PJ and Rose Ita; sister/brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, family and friends. Mary will be forever remembered for her loving nature, always think of everyone before herself. Her hard working and determination was truly a force of nature. She was the oldest of nine children. She has been a positive influence and friend to so many people near and far. She loved traveling to new and interesting places and loved the history involved. Whether it was trips to Egypt, South Africa, Peru, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, or to Europe, she traveled the globe in pursuit of new adventure. She loved her grandchildren most of all and basked in their love and attention. She enjoyed a good party and the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Visiting Hours in the Lehman, Reen, McNamara Funeral Home, 63 Chestnut Hill Ave. (Nr. Brighton Courthouse), BRIGHTON on Friday, February 18th from 3-5pm, followed by Prayer Service at 5pm. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Prayer Service will be live streamed on Lehman Reen & McNamara Facebook live page starting at 5pm. In lieu of flowers, gift can be made out to MassBay Foundation of MassBay Community College and mailed to 50 Oakland Street, Wellesley, Massachusetts 02481. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.lehmanreen Lehman Reen McNamara Brighton 617 782 1000