Shirley Jean Lindsay

Shirley Jean Lindsay (Colgan) was born on September 7,1933 in Arlington, MA, to her beloved parents Catherine Elida Colgan (Sewall) and Henry James Colgan of Arlington, Massachusetts. Shirley passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026 in Lexington, MA. in the home she loved for 67 years, with her daughter and her cherished rescue dog Lola by her side along with the support of Lahey Health at Home Hospice.

Shirley was predeceased by her loving husband of 65 years, Arthur Leslie Lindsay. She is survived by her children Susan Jean Lindsay of Arlington, MA, and Scott Arthur Lindsay and his wife Karen Morgan of Cumberland , Maine. She leaves behind her much loved grandchildren, Axel, Sabra and Mac Lindsay of Cumberland, Maine. Shirley leaves behind many treasured family and friends; nieces and nephews, and cousins. She is survived by her cousin, Richard E. Bennett and his family of Denver, Colorado and Houston, Texas, who she grew up with and who was like a brother to her in Arlington. She will be greatly missed by her closest friend for over 85 years, Margaret Dwyer of Belmont, MA. who she grew up with in the Hardy School neighborhood in Arlington. She will be missed by Catherine Lord of Winchester, MA., a dear family friend who Arthur and Shirley referred to as their second daughter. Shirley also leaves behind her sister in-law Regina Raeke (Lindsay) of Portland, Oregon who she often said was like the younger sister she never had,as she was an only child.Over her 92 years, Shirley developed lasting friendships and kept in touch with friends she had met from her childhood neighborhood, places she worked, and neighbors and even a pen pal from Devon England she got through school during World War II. Even when neighbor friends moved away, she remained close and made it a point to keep in touch. Once a friend, always a friend. Shirley always welcomed people to her home, in Lexington, as well as her second home in York Beach Maine. She enjoyed meeting people and was friendly and always willing to listen or provide any assistance to those in need.

Shirley attended the Arlington schools and graduated from Arlington High School in 1951. Her focus was business and upon graduating, she was employed at the Shawmut Bank in Dewey/Post Office Square in Boston. She would often recollect racing for the commuter train on Lake Street in East Arlington as the friendly conductor would hold the train just for her. Always invested in education, she attended evening classes in Accounting at Bentley College.

On June 8, 1957 she married Arthur at an evening ceremony at the Cambridge Baptist Church in Central Square Cambridge, where she and her family were members and recalls being baptised along with her mother in the church sanctuary.

The couple lived in Arlington ,prior to purchasing their home in Lexington, in 1958. This small Cape house became the heart of the family and despite its size hosted numerous gatherings, holidays and family events, and it was warm and always welcoming to all who stopped by. Upon the birth of her children, Shirley was a devoted mother, wife and homemaker. And actively encouraged learning and activities with her children. She was a 4H instructor and taught cooking in her tiny kitchen, and she became an active cub scout leader. Shirley always encouraged her children to be well rounded, to have many interests and try new experiences, deeming that by doing so her children would be able to engage with a vast and diverse group of people during their lives.

Eventually she returned to work as an Administrative Assistant at the Saint Paul's Cathedral on Tremont Street in Boston, and developed lasting friendships with the clergy there.

Later Shirley was employed by Balston, Inc. in Lexington as an Inside Sales Representative, a position she greatly enjoyed and became very skilled and relied upon by sales representatives from around the country.

Upon retirement, she immersed herself in planning and building a home in York Beach, Maine, and relished time with her grandchildren. Shirley loved Maine and the ocean, walks in the woods, and the nearby Great Meadows. She loved nature and all animals, especially dogs who she said every child should have growing up. She was a wonderful gardener and so enjoyed planting, tending, and watching her gardens grow. She enjoyed needle work projects and showed patience and skill in her creations. Her baking skills were appreciated especially by her grandchildren, making special Birthday cakes, pies, bread, cookies and treats. Shirley shared an extraordinarily rich yet simple and quiet life with Arthur and was all about family, friends, nature, kindness and caring for others. She was always so generous, thankful and always showed unconditional love.Shirley will be greatly missed and she leaves a legacy of kindness and love with those fortunate to have known her and her gentle spirit.

The family welcomes all to celebrate Shirley's life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity in her memory, or may we suggest: Salvation Army, Alzheimer's Association, or Animal Rescue. Practicing an act of kindness in your travels will also honor Shirley's memory.

A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday March 11 at the Douglass Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Rd. Lexington at 11am. Visiting hours at the funeral home Tuesday from 4pm to 7pm. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Interment at Westview Cemetery, Lexington.