...retired legal secretary
TEWKSBURY - Jean E. (Pica) (Shaw) Sirti, a 49 year resident of Tewksbury, passed away peacefully on November 6th, at Winchester Hospital with her family by her side, after a battle with cancer. She was the beloved wife of Raymond Sirti, who died in December 2006.
Jean was born in Woburn, MA, on August 24, 1938, a daughter of the late Michael A. and H. Evelyn (Kelly) Pica. She spent her childhood in Woburn and her teen years in Billerica where she was a member of the first graduating class of Billerica Memorial High School, the Class of 1956.
Prior to her retirement, Jean was a legal secretary in the greater Boston and greater Lowell areas for over 40 years. She was a former member of Northern Middlesex County Legal Secretaries Association, Norfolk County Legal Secretaries Association, and the Massachusetts Association of Legal Secretaries.
Jean was a lifelong cat lover and always had one or two feline friends in her home. Although no one could replace her precious "Angelo," she adored her current pets "Eddie" and Smokey."
After Jean and Ray retired, they made several cross-country car trips, sightseeing and traveling through most of the lower forty-eight states.
She was a member of the Lowell Senior Citizens, as well as a member of the North Shore Animal League, MSPCA, Humane Society of U.S., ASPCA, Easter Seals, Dana-Farber Cancer, and a partner in Habitat for Humanity. She attended the Tewksbury Congregational Church.
Among her interests, Jean enjoyed a challenging game of Scrabble, jigsaw puzzles, BINGO, family poker games, and until the recent death of her life-long friend Michael Boujicanian, frequent trips to Las Vegas. She especially enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving Dinner for family and friends. She was also touched by all the wonderful people she had met at the Cancer Support Group.
Jean is survived by four loving children, Michael Shaw of Lowell, Stephanie Girard of Tewksbury, Kelly Shaw of Rumney, NH, and Brenda Shaw of Tewksbury; six grandchildren, Kristin Dineen, Lisa Dominique, Stephen Girard, Christopher Porell, Robert Porell, Kendra Howe; six great grandchildren; five siblings, Lois Crawford of Nashua, NH, Anne Pica of Sun City, CA, Brenda McCullock of Billerica, Linda Pica of Woburn, Diane Cosgrove of West Newbury; a sister-in-law, Loretta Anderson of Delray Beach, FL; and many caring nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours were hwld Friday, Nov. 11. Following cremation, interment will be private.
Friends who wish to make memorial contributions are encouraged to consider one of Jean's favorite charities: Feeding America, 35 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60601 or Habitat for Humanity, 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709-3498.