Shirley Mary (Freitas) Gleason died on November 20, 2024 after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was the daughter of the late Alfred R and the late Nellie T. (Roberts) Freitas Sr. Shirley was born in 1937 and raised in Lowell and along with her younger brother, the late Alfred R. Freitas, Jr. She was an alumna of Lowell High School, Class of 1955.
After graduation, Shirley worked at Raytheon in Lowell where she met and married the late Frederick T. Gleason. Although they divorced in 1970, the raising of their two daughters was always their top priority and brought Shirley great joy. Shirley’s hobbies included ice skating, bingo playing, shopping, and traveling. Her favorite places to travel were Disney World, Fort Lauderdale and Cape Cod Massachusetts. She loved the ocean and spent many happy years living in Yarmouthport, MA and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Her declining health and growing family brought her home to Chelmsford, Ma. She loved spending time with her brother Fred and her beautiful nieces, Brenda and Donna, They and their families brought Mom so much happiness.
Once her daughters had children of their own, Shirley became a grandmother. She cherished spending time with her five grandchildren. She truly loved all things Disney and was so happy to share that love with her grandchildren. In the last years, Shirley became a great grandmother to two beautiful girls, Valerie and Vera Gomes.
Shirley battled Alzheimer’s Disease for seventeen years. The last several robbed her of many precious memories, but her family has wonderful, warm Mom, Grammy and Aunt Shirley stories to last forever. The family would like to thank Beacon Hospice, Compassionate Care Hospice and Sunrise Assisted Living in Burlington for their devotion not just to Shirley, but their kindness to her family as well. Shirley is survived by her two daughters, Pamela Christiansen of Goffstown, NH and Shirley G. and Tom Faulkner, of Wells, Maine. Her beloved grandchildren, Dan, and Brad Christiansen of Goffstown, NH and Ryan & Amabile Christiansen of Lowell, MA, Matt Faulkner & Julia Carey of Morristown, NJ and Sarah, Conor, Valerie, and Vera Gomes of Ayer, MA. Additionally, her nieces Brenda Horan and Donna Giuggio and their families of Westford MA who she loved very much as well as her extended family of cousins and friends.
Shirley’s visitation time will be Tues., Dec. 3, 2024 from 9:30 to 10:30 at the MORSE BAYLISS FUNERAL HOME, 122 PRINCETON BLVD., LOWELL, MA 01851 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 115 Middlesex St., N. Chelmsford, MA. Burial in Edson Cemetery, Lowell, MA. Memorials may be made in her memory to Amedisys Hospice Care, 800 West Cummings Park Suite 3100, Woburn, MA 01801. ARRANGEMENTS BY MORSE BAYLISS FUNERAL HOME 978-458-6841. Guestbook at www. morsebaylissfuneralhome.com
One response to “Shirley M. (Freitas) Gleason, Formerly of Chelmsford”
Dave and I are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies are with you at this sad time. Pam and Shirley, you and your families were clearly the light of your mother’s life, even as the light dimmed; her bright smile will always be remembered by everyone who knew her. May you rest in peace now, Shirley.