Sally Shea

Sally Anne Shea, 75, passed away Saturday, February 28, 2026 in the presence of her family. She was born on April 24, 1950 in Manchester NH and was the daughter of Edward Jeremiah Shea and Dorothy Grace (Hurley) Shea. Sally leaves behind her daughter Cara and wife Kristal Delahanty, and their two children Jacoby (Jake) and Teddy of Goffstown, NH; son John Delahanty and his three children Coralie, Kadance, and Asa of State College, PA; sister Barbara Deselle of Manchester, NH; nephew Andrew Deselle of Manchester, NH and his two children Liam and Lauren; many cousins and close friends. Sally was predeceased by her sister Judy and her husband Al Brown of Hamilton, Onterio.

Sally worked for 26 years at what was known as Ma Bell, or the phone company, and eventually retired from Verizon. Throughout that time, she had taken a leave of absence to return to school. She attended UNH in Manchester where she received her B.A. in Education.

Although she returned to finish out her working career at Verizon, she took that love of reading with her. Sally was part of a book group of 9 ladies who call themselves The Bookettes! They have had this book group since 2000, and although they have lost some members along the way, she considered these ladies to be among some of her closest friends. Suzanne Wason, in particular, was an extremely loyal and steadfast friend to Sally. Showing up to sit with her week after week.

Sally enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, going to the beach and hearing the ocean waves, visits with her doggy grandchildren, reading, and supporting causes she believed in.

Services will be Thursday April 3, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 PM with Cremation Society of NH which is located in Phaneuf Funeral Homes at 243 Hanover St Manchester NH 03104.

Sally would have wanted a donation for others with cancer to benefit in lieu of flowers. Those who wish may make a memorial contribution to St. Judes, Dana-Farber Jimmy Fund, American Cancer Society, or a local entity where she has spent quite a bit of time through the years– like the Solinsky Center at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester NH

https://donate.elliothospital.org/give/546467/#!/donation/checkout 

Dartmouth Cancer Center in Lebanon NH.

Gifts can be mailed to One Medical Center Drive (HB 7070), Lebanon, NH 03756, or made online at dhgeiselgiving.org/causes/cancer and list Sally Shea in the honoree field.