Shirley M. (Hartnett) McGrath was called home to heaven on Saturday, June 9, 2012 after a long illness with her loving family by her side. She had resided at Life Care of Auburn since 2009, where she received tremendous love, respect and care from the devoted nurses, C.N.A.s and staff. While there she was blessed with a kind and gentle roommate, Rose Marano. Her husband of 40 years, Thomas J. McGrath, passed away in 1992.
     She leaves 8 children, Colleen McGrath of Stamford, Ct., Thomas McGrath, Maureen Fortier and her husband Stephen Fortier, Paul McGrath and his wife Coreen, and Patrick and his long time partner Debbie Beilen, all of Worcester; Sharlene McGrath of Monson, Mass.; Michael McGrath and his wife Linda Jayne of So. Hadley, Mass.; and Kathleen Richards and her husband John Richards of Leicester. She was pre-deceased by one son, Kevin McGrath in 2009. She leaves a loving brother, Raymond “Emmett” Hartnett of Worcester as well as a dear, life-long friend, Shirley Watrous. She also leaves 13 grandchildren, one, Jessica, whom she raised; and 5 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
     Shirley was born in Worcester, daughter of Raymond and Mary (Kerrigan) Hartnett. She lived in Worcester for many years before moving to Auburn in 2006. She graduated from Girl’s Trade of Worcester in 1946. She was a former long time parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Worcester where she was an original member of the Holy Rosary Sodality.
     Her passions in life were her family, being in the company of any baby, a profound love of her many pets over the years, the ocean, especially, Ogunquit, Maine, her extensive lighthouse collection and a deep compassion for any individual in need. She loved playing Bingo, was an avid Celtics and Red Sox fan, and prior to marriage cherished her participation in playing softball in a Worcester Women’s Soft Ball League on a team sponsored by the Massachusetts Protection Agency.
     Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with burial following at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.
     In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate any donation to the Worcester Animal Rescue League, 139 Holden St., Worcester 01606. or the Shriners Hospital for Children-Boston, 51 Blossom St., Boston 02114.