Emily Shanahan

Haverhill – Emily “Betty” Shanahan passed away peacefully on Saturday January 17th at the Hannah Dustin Nursing Home, two days shy of her 91st birthday. Betty was never happier than when she was on a dance floor, at the beach, or with her beloved Boxers. Born in Haverhill, Emily was married to the late Leonard Shanahan for forty-three years before his passing in 1989. She graduated from Haverhill High School in 1941. After many years in the Haverhill shoe industry, Emily worked at City Hall for thirty years before retiring in 1985 as the chief assessing clerk. After her retirement she continued to work part time at the K-Mart store in Haverhill for ten years.Emily leaves two sons, Thomas and his wife, Aurelie (Hideriotis) Shanahan of Haverhill and Peter and his wife, Lisa (Pike) Shanahan of Haverhill. She leaves 8 grandchildren Mathew Shanahan and his wife Kelley, Nicholas Shanahan and his wife Rachel, Thomas Shanahan, Michael Shanahan and his wife Stephanie, Erin Shanahan, Kerri Shanahan , Meghann (Shanahan) Cook and her husband Roger, and Brian Shanahan. In addition, Emily leaves 6 great-grandchildren Madison, Ava and Ethan Shanahan, Liam and Sean Cook, and Emily Shanahan. She also leaves a sister-in-law Mary (Shanahan) Cleary along with several nieces and nephews. The family would like to express special thanks to the staff of the Hannah Dustin Nursing Home, especially Courtney and Regina, for their kindness and compassion. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday January 21, 2015 at St. James Church at 10:00. Burial will follow at Linwood Cemetery, Mill St. Haverhill. The family will receive friends and family at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main Street, Haverhill, MA on Tuesday January 20, 2015 from 3:00pm until 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library at 175N Beacon Street Watertown, MA. Please visit Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook or www.comeaufuneral.com