Shirley (MacDonald) Milch, 83

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NATICK – Shirley A. Milch (MacDonald), age 83, a longtime resident of Natick, peacefully passed away at home on Sunday, July 10, 2022 after a brief illness which she faced with courage and grace. 

Shirley was the devoted wife of Edward J. Milch Sr. for 49 years, who predeceased her by 10 years.

Born in Watertown, to the late Allan and Minnie MacDonald, Shirley was proud of her Cape Breton roots and found much happiness dancing along to fiddle music. Raised in Watertown, she was a graduate of St. Patrick’s High School, Class of 1956.  Shirley was a favorite of the nuns and often entrusted to “mind the office” when they had to step out.  Shirley and Ed met when both were employed by Wentworth Institute of Technology and married in June of 1963, eventually settling in Natick with their growing family.  They created a warm and loving home and were active members of their community. 

When not tending to her family, Shirley was very involved in both St. Linus and St. Patrick’s Catholic Communities, teaching Religious Ed classes, Pre- Cana Marriage Preparation classes, administering Holy Communion as a Lay Eucharistic Minister as well as helping organize the schedule for the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel.  A woman of great faith, she found much pleasure sitting quietly in the Chapel herself, in adoration of her Savior. 

Shirley worked at DeScenza Diamonds in Framingham for many years and also as a Receptionist at Fair and Yeager Insurance in Natick, before her retirement.  She enjoyed the connections made while helping out at the Natick Community Senior Center and had lots of fun singing with her friends in the Goldenaires. 

Shirley enjoyed family vacations to Maine and Cape Cod and as a diehard Red Sox Fan, she loved watching every game on TV, especially when they went into extra innings. She adored her children and grandchildren but loved beating them at cards and Scrabble even more. She delighted in her guilty pleasures, coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts and Fish & Chips from Legal Sea Foods.

Predeceased by her husband Ed, Shirley is survived by her eight children; Andrea M. Stevenson and her husband David of Manchester, NH, Mary-Ellen Coniaris and Charles McCarthy, Jr. Esq. of South Boston, Karen R. Milch of Centerville, Edward J. Milch, Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Norfolk and Charleston, South Carolina, Elizabeth M. Milch and her husband Mark S. Kinchla of Natick, Douglas K. Milch of Natick, Elaine M. Lundin and her husband Michael of Norwood, and John B. Milch and his fiancé Tammie Silva of Natick; eleven grandchildren by whom she was affectionately called “Bea”: Ryan, Noelani, Joseph, Sarah, Catherine, Sadie, Henry, Molly, Genevieve, Elly and Magnolia; sister, M. Ruth Patti of South Carolina, brother James MacDonald and his wife Muriel of Florida and Maine, brother, Daniel MacDonald and his wife Patricia of Florida and Maine; and the late Alena, Allan, John (Jack) and David MacDonald, and many beloved nieces and nephews.  She is fondly remembered by Tiffany and Tyrese Jordan as “Grandma Shirley” and by her dear friends whose many friendships she cherished greatly over the years.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church, 44 E Central St, Natick on Friday July 15 th at 11 a.m.  Please go directly to the church.  Visiting hours will be Thursday July 14 from 4 – 7 PM at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, Natick.  Face Coverings are required for all services. 

Interment is private.

Donations may be made in Shirley’s memory to The Lustgarten Foundation, 415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite D, Woodbury, NY  11797 https://lustgarten.org

The family would like to acknowledge and thank her kind caregivers from the Good Shepherd Community Care Hospice as well as Tribute Home Care for their incredible assistance and attention.

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