Shirley C. (Erickson) McGrath

Worcester-Shirley C. (Erickson) McGrath, 99, passed away Thursday, March 24 at home surrounded by her family.

Her husband of 67 years, Patrick F. "Bud" McGrath died in 2014. She leaves five children, Susan M. Nash and her husband Robert of Worcester, Jay P. McGrath and his wife, Jane of Paxton, Stephen F. McGrath and his wife, Deborah of Oxford, Joan M. McGrath with whom she lived and Michael J. McGrath and his wife, Toni of Bloomfield, NJ; four grandchildren, Meghan McGrath, and her significant other, Matt, Patrick McGrath and his wife, Jen, Ashleigh McGrath and Kathleen McGrath and her fiancé, Peter; two great-grandchildren, Wes and Jake and nieces and nephews. Two siblings, Arlene O'Toole and Carl Erickson predeceased her. She was born in Worcester, daughter of, Victor and Dorilla (Allard) Erickson. She graduated from Worcester Girls Trade School.

Shirley worked for the Worcester Public Schools as a baker in several cafeterias, retiring from South High School. Her favorite job though was being a wife, mother, grandmother and gigi. She loved every minute of taking care of her family. In her retirement, she and Bud traveled extensively with their longtime friends, known as "the Club". Shirley was a longtime member of St. Peter's Church and past president of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Guild and volunteered at many fundraisers. She loved baking, cooking and a good Danielle Steel novel. Shirley also enjoyed playing a round of pitch and sitting on her deck at home or down the Cape with a glass of wine, watching the birds. She loved all animals great and small, especially her beloved cat, McGee.

A Visiting Hour will be held Monday, March 28 from 9:30-10:30am at Callahan Fay Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle St. Followed by a Funeral Mass at 11am in St. Peter's Church, 921 Main St. Burial will be in Saint John's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at www.smspca.org or the Worcester Animal Rescue League at www.worcesterarl.org