Athy Memorial Home (left, right)
WORCESTER — Lifelong Worcester residents who were married for 68 years recently passed away days apart.
Thomas A. Sheahan, a lifelong educator and musician, and his wife, Eileen M. (Callahan) Sheahan, a devoted labor and delivery nurse, passed away within a week of each other in October, united in life and in death.
Eileen died on October 24th, surrounded by her husband and family. Thomas followed on October 31st, also in the embrace of loved ones. Both were 90 years old.
Born and raised in Worcester, Thomas was the son of Thomas A. and Mary H. (Tynan) Sheahan. He graduated from St. John’s High School and later earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Worcester State University. Over a 40-year teaching career, he imparted his love for mathematics, science, and geography to students in Worcester Public Schools. Retiring in 1996, Tom was remembered not only as an educator but as a passionate musician. He played piano, tenor guitar, banjo, and accordion, and was the lead singer for Worcester's Ragtime Rowdies, a beloved Dixieland band.
Eileen was born to John C. and Mary E. (Flynn) Callahan. A North High School graduate, she earned her nursing degree at the Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing and later a bachelor's in nursing from Fitchburg State University. For 4 decades, she served in Worcester hospitals, primarily as a labor and delivery nurse, helping welcome countless new lives into the world. Known for her gentle touch and compassionate heart, Eileen left an indelible mark on the community.
Together, Tom and Eileen were active members of Our Lady of the Rosary Church and built their family on Prudential Road, where they raised their children. They are survived by E. Susan Sheahan (and her spouse, Jean Ferrara) of Green Cove Springs, Fla.; Thomas “TJ” Sheahan of Redding, Conn.; and Kristopher “KC” Sheahan of Scottsdale, Ariz. They were also proud grandparents to 4 grandchildren, Nathan Boyan (his wife Melissa and their son Andy, Tom and Eileen's great-grandson), Rory Boyan, Liam Sheahan, and Aidan Sheahan. Their beloved daughter, Maureen B. Sheahan, predeceased them in 2013.
In addition to their immediate family, Tom and Eileen are survived by numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom they cherished. Eileen’s sister, Marie J. Quist, predeceased her in 2000.
Calling hours will be held for the couple on Thursday, November 7th, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 8th, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Fales St., followed by burial in St. John’s Cemetery.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Our Lady of the Rosary Church in honor of Tom and Eileen’s enduring legacy of compassion and service.
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (1:06). High of 34 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+6:00: Worcester bar's liquor license suspended for 5 days for after-hours assault
+6:00: Indie horror film festival returning to Worcester’s Mechanic Hall for second year
+6:00: 100FM The Pike (8:12): Worcester film maker Tom Dwyer talks about Dead of Winter Horror Festival
+6:00: 100FM The Pike (14:26): Bull rider Marcus Mast on near death experience with a bull and growing up Amish
+Noon: It's Friday! Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making plans
+Noon: Guide to Dead of Winter Horror Film Festival in Worcester
+Noon: Mechanics Hall to host The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
+Noon: "Black Angels Over Tuskegee" in Worcester will tell story
+Noon: WPI professor explores how Black artists helped transform opera
+Noon: New shows and movies to watch this weekend
+Noon: New movies on demand — "The Brutalist," "The Last Showgirl," and more
+Noon: 19 Carter in Berlin is a hub for both the arts and the community
-Hazardous ice lingers on Worcester streets days after storm. Video (1:18)
-Family of late state police trainee from Worcester speaks as state senators seek investigation update (2:49)
-Stop & Shop faces potential strike in Mass. over contract dispute
-Radio Worcester (40:20): Transformative plans for Worcester’s 51-acre Saint-Gobain site in Greendale
-West Boylston will fire Town Administrator amid police station flag conflict, lawyer says
-Earlier: Flag controversy discussed at Select Board meeting (1:49). Article
-Families fighting to keep funding for medical research meet at UMass Medical School (1:50). Article
-After sky-high hikes, state orders gas companies to reduce total bills by just 5 percent (:23)
-Related: What is the delivery fee on gas bills and why is it so high? (4:30)
-Police find cocaine, fentanyl during search in Worcester
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (25:32): Councilor's indefinite absence sparks debate
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (21:18): Media misrepresents Worcester's sanctuary city vote
-DINING OUT: New restaurant to open at site of former Compass Tavern
-ICYMI: City Councilor Thu Nguyen will not return to council indefinitely
-Worcester rolls out enforcement of new 25 mph speed limit
-Worcester schools eye 7.9% budget increase for coming year
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): March Among Friends senior newsletter
-Ice melt arrives at Holden hardware store for storm-weary residents
-Longtime customer salutes Lamoureux Ford (3:53)
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Favorite breakfast spot plans expansion to Shrewsbury
-Sterling officer hit by car during traffic stop
-Police seek help locating 29-year-old missing person
-Drug bust at Westminster residence uncovers cocaine trafficking operation
-Clinton Project 351 ambassador gets involved
-Clinton School Committee honors students, staff
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: Concerts, historical demos and more
-Orchids bring color to Botanic Garden
-One Act Play Festival to take center stage at the Singh Performance Center
>OPINION: Kenzie Landsittel: Remember Women's Rights Convention in Worcester
-City of Worcester's Ready Worcester (1:03): Episode 4, preparing for snow storms
-Unity Radio's Susanity Life (58:15): Melisa Ann, intuitive energy healer
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester matriarch who passed away at 100
>SPORTS: Canada beats U.S., 3-2, in overtime to win 4 Nations Face-Off championship
-Bravehearts' New England Sports Summit breaks records
-With a renewed focus on boxing career, Worcester's Khiary Gray ready for title bout
-'Sader Stories (29:47): Varsity Club Hall of Famer Sam Fregenti
-Holy Cross women’s hockey team travels to Maine for final regular season series
-2 Holy Cross athletes nominated for Allstate Good Works Team
>CARS: Toyota recalls over 160,000 Sienna minivans due to seat back issue
>NATIONAL: California woman chased, fatally shot in parking lot: video
-Brian Laundrie's parents pariahs in Florida over Gabby Petito's murder: neighbors
-Tragic: Mom charged with abuse after 3 kids left alone for years
>NEW ENGLAND: Timeline of activities of cultlike group tied to killing of Border Patrol agent
-Why ambulances are waiting nearly an hour to bring patients into some Mass. hospitals
>COLLEGES: This is biomedical engineering at WPI (:23)
-Clark student Isaac Tomeho shines in both the digital and tactile worlds
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 5 places you'll recognize from famous songs
>BUSINESS: Walmart shares tank on dismal forecast as retail giant warns of slowing sales
-LPL Financial Research: Tariffs ignite a metals melt-up
-How Gen Z can get on the right financial track
>HOMES: Worcester is one of the hottest real estate markets in 2025. See how it ranks
>HEALTH: Study: 3 conditions increase risk of liver damage if you drink
-How "lemonading" can help you better cope with stress
>FOOD: Dunkin' to end non-dairy upcharges after guest feedback
>TV/STREAMING: George Stephanopoulos is "miserable" at "GMA"
>MOVIES: Who won the best actor Oscar last year? See list of recent winners
>CELEBRITY: Laraine Newman says Barbra Streisand confronted her over "SNL" skit
>ANIMALS: Ducks ask woman to help their friend who isn't moving (1:38)
>HISTORY: Worcester's Bull Mansion has historical ties to a doctor, not an animal
>GOOD NEWS: Man's liver transplant denial reversed after story goes viral
-Meanwhile, in Thailand, monkey uses human-like hand signals to direct traffic (:43)
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather