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 (1:05). High of 20 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Suspects in fatal shooting on Dorchester Street in Worcester caught in Fitchburg
-Worcester reports fewer shootings in 2024, despite jump in homicides
-What nurses say must improve at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester
-5 townhouse units planned for Austin Street in Worcester
-Why so many Mass. breweries are closing (and what you can do about it)
-Worcester Community Housing Resources taps established executive as new leader
-Holiday travel rush continues (2:08). Article
-Worcester forum explores M.C.A.S. results and educational equity
-Worcester wants input on where to put new trash/recycling bins
-Radio Worcester (24:05): Worcester Police Union leaders respond to D.O.J. report
-Earlier: Boston Globe: Federal lawsuits lay out D.O.J. allegations against Worcester police
-Radio Worcester (17:50): Mayor Petty addresses City Council meeting amid heated debate
-Radio Worcester (19:13): City Manager Batista addresses D.O.J. report, legal strategy
>FAITH: Holy Cross professor — At Hanukkah, a celebration of eternal light − from desert tabernacle to synagogues today
>DINING OUT: Phantom Gourmet's Great 8 Unique Eateries (5:13)
-ICYMI: Midday snow delivers string of crashes in Central Mass.
-Woman struck by a car in crosswalk in Worcester
-At court hearing, 2 different pictures of fatal Worcester shooting
-Worcester D.P.W. chief Robert L. Moylan Jr. to end interim stint
-Worcester's Union Station listed among 6 of the Most Beautiful Amtrak Stations in America
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Wachusett Echo — Fantastic freshmen on varsity sports teams
-Christmas Greetings from Everyone At Lamoureux Ford (:49)
-Mountview Middle School honor roll
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Southbridge day care worker admits to abusing child (2:01)
-Barre ambulance and Verizon utility truck collide on Route 62
-Botched drug deal at Leominster group home ends with arrest of 2 women
-Rutland police to hold car seat check-up on Monday
-Auburn wants feedback on possible regionalization of 911 services
-Shrewsbury Select Board updates (:35)
-Grafton Middle School teachers honored for "Promising Practices"
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Sunday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: Candlelight tours, wrestling and holiday choral music
-Spotify's Top 10 most-streamed holiday tracks of all time revealed
-At Holy Cross, "Sojourners" captures the immigrant experience in 1970s America
>OPINION: Tom Marino: 9 years of Public Safety Committee ignoring police discipline
-Laura McCarthy-Ha: Simplifying gift-giving in a big family
-Laurelle Farrell: Lessons in a hair style…bangs
-WCCA-TV's This Is Worcester No. 211 (28:23): Sports, Sports, Sports!
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to an "accomplished and admired singer/ songwriter/ musician" born in Worcester
>SPORTS: Patriots fans will love Josh Allen’s take on Drake Maye’s future
-Van Pelt doubles down on not calling Maye runs after criticism
-NFL Week 16 schedule, TV and announcers
-Celtics beat Bulls, 123-98
-Bruins beat Sabres, 3-1
-Rickey Henderson, Baseball Hall of Famer and league's all-time stolen bases leader, dies at 65
-Railers beat Maine, 5-1
>NATIONAL: 2 Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent "friendly fire" incident
-Grandparent caregiving declines amid pandemic changes
-Tragic: Grandmother, 80, dies after getting trapped in Sleep Number bed for 2 days: lawsuit
>NEW ENGLAND: State police say Friday's storm caused 200 crashes across state (:22)
-Hypothermic hiker rescued by helicopter in White Mountains (:27)
>COLLEGES: Assumption Professor Cinzia Pica named Visiting Scholar at Harvard
-Anna Maria AMCAST (50:10): Holiday Movies 2.0
-Clark professor gives lecture on what it means to be a feminist in wartime
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): Waldorf-Astoria insists hotel will reopen in spring
>BUSINESS: Central Mass. business by the numbers
-Financial planning for parents’ assisted living
>HOMES: Tips for moving
>SHOPPING: Cozy gifts your mom will love this holiday season (4:04)
-Holiday gift ideas from unique local businesses across Mass. (4:58)
>HEALTH: Expert explains possible risks, benefits of raw milk (2:49)
-Dr. Todd Ellerin on vaccines and their impact on children (3:40)
>FOOD: Taco Bell unveils new menu item
>TV/STREAMING: Trailer for new Netflix doc, "Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action" (2:21)
>MOVIES: "Barbie 2" in early stages with Greta Gerwig returning to write
>CELEBRITY: James Kennedy arrested for domestic violence weeks after getting fired from "Vanderpump Rules"
>HISTORY: City Hospital, circa 1907
>ANIMALS: Dog becomes mama to a litter of tiny rescue kittens (1:42)
>GOOD NEWS: Man with a rare tumor was told he had months to live. Now, he's cancer-free
-Meanwhile, Mariah Carey fans get into a wild fight at Christmas concert: "On the naughty list"
Latest obituaries | | Saturday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
-Staff Associate, Urban Action Institute, Worcester State
-Controller, Worcester State
-Multiple positions, Holden DPW
See all Help Wanteds | | Job opening? Post it here for FREE today
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