Mary Shields, 92, of Holmdel, NJ passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024.

Mary was born in Rathmullan, County Donegal, Ireland to the late May (nee Marley) and Patrick Doherty. She was one of eleven brothers and sisters and raised alongside her four cousins.  Mary graduated from nursing school in Manchester, England in 1954 and in 1955 became certified as a Midwife.  She met Bill, her lifelong companion, in 1959 and they married on April 3^rd, 1961.  Mary and Bill started their family in Chepstow, Wales, UK and welcomed three children within four years at which point Mary became a full time homemaker.  In 1966, Mary and her family immigrated to Canada.  They first settled in Sydney, Nova Scotia for two years before moving to St. John’s, Newfoundland and five years later moved to Whitby, Ontario.   In 1979 they made their final move to the United States where they settled in Holmdel, NJ and where Mary lived for the past 45 years.   Despite having lived in so many places, Ireland was the one place that she always called home.

Mary enjoyed traveling, playing golf, watching the news and absolutely loved a good laugh. Some of her fondest memories were created at Navesink Country Club where she and Bill were members for over 30 years.   But, most of all, Mary loved spending time with her family.  She especially loved cooking Sunday Roast Beef Dinner when all of her family was in town.

She is predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband Bill, her son-in-law Jim Cash and 8 siblings.

Mary is survived by her four children, Jackie Cash of Aurora, OH; Bill and his wife Sue Shields of Plymouth, MI; Moira Shields of New York City, NY; and Katie and her husband Rob McIntyre of Little Silver, NJ; her sisters, Madge and Grace; and seven grandchildren Ryan (Megan), Hayley (Conner), Billy, Matt, Sophie, Bobby, and Harper.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, January 3^rd at 10:30am at the Church of St. Catharine,108 Middletown Road, Holmdel, NJ.   Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, Mary’s family asks with gratitude that donations in her memory be made to Holy Cross Academy (www.hcarumson.org), Lunch Break (www.lunchbreak.org) or a charity of your choice.

For messages of condolence, or to share a favorite memory of Mary, please visit her page of tribute at www.holmdelfuneralhome.com