Verna M. Shay

Verna M. Shay (Engel) of Enfield and West Simsbury died peacefully at home on Saturday, April 25th. She was the beloved wife of James F. Shay who passed in October 2007. She was born in New Haven, daughter of Vernon and Viola Engel and grew up in New Haven. She attended Hillhouse High School and later St. Vincent’s nursing school. She was married September 7, 1957 to James Shay. Verna and Jim moved to the Hartford and Bloomfield areas where they started their family. In 1969 the family moved to West Simsbury where Verna remained until 2007 when James passed. Verna was a home health nurse and then worked many years at Avon Convalescent Home. She loved her home at 38 Wildwood Road where she hosted the beloved children in her life and nurtured a menagerie of animals. The family had many happy vacations and trips touring the New England states. Jim and Verna traveled throughout the US and Ireland after his retirement. She enjoyed the last eight years living in Enfield. Her passions included her grandchildren, UCONN Women’s Basketball, Christmas, an movies. She was a hard core Bones, Castle and Hallmark channel fan. She is pre-deceased by her parents Vernon and Viola and her sister Marret Doorfee and survived by her sister Kathleen Shellard. She is also survived by her five children: daughter Marybeth Shay of West Hartford, daughter Pam Shay of Atlanta, GA, son and daughter-in-law Dan and Deb Shay of Enfield, son and daughter-in-law Jim and Valnisha Shay of Enfield, and daughter Barbara Shay of Tenant's Harbor, ME. She deeply appreciated her daughter in law, Deb Shay who was her primary care giver and companion in her last years. She is dearly loved by her 6 grandchildren: Owen, Kelsey, Devon, Cassidy, Morgan and Phiona. She also loved taking care of Merlin and Layla Ennis in their early years. She will also be missed by her nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Friends may call at the Molloy Funeral Home 906 Farmington Ave, 9am to 10:30am, Thursday, April 30th. Mass follows at 11am at St. Thomas the Apostle,872 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford with burial in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ASPCA (www.aspca.org) or a hospice organization of your choosing.

Verna M. Shay

April 25, 2015