Beloved Gaithersburg Resident, Former PTA President Dies At 72

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Eileen Shea, a longtime Gaithersburg resident and advocate for children's education, died Wednesday of complications from gallbladder cancer, city officials confirmed Friday. She was 72.

"The Gaithersburg City Council and I, along with the entire Gaithersburg community, are deeply saddened by the passing of a long time resident and friend of Gaithersburg, Eileen Shea," Mayor Jud Ashman said. "Our heartfelt condolences are extended to her loving family, her friends, colleagues, and associates."

Shea was born in Brooklyn on April 25, 1948 to Margaret and Jesse Mason, and was proud of her New York City roots, her obituary read. She married David Shea, also of Brooklyn, in 1970 before moving to her adopted hometown, Gaithersburg, and raising three children.

Her most important legacy to the community, according to Ashman, was her emphatic support of youth and education. Shea began volunteering when her eldest child entered kindergarten at Summit Hall Elementary School in the 1970s — and spent the next four decades advocating for the city's children and their education.

Her extensive volunteer experience included PTA president at Summit Hall, PTSA president at Gaithersburg High School, Gaithersburg Cluster Coordinator, Gaithersburg Middle School Human Relations Committee, Montgomery County Council of PTAs Training Committee, the City of Gaithersburg Prevention Committee, and the Safe and Drug Free School Community Action Team.

"Her relentless and determined advocacy over the years resulted in many tangible outcomes that our children enjoy to this day, including a gymnasium at Summit Hall Elementary School, early work with CHARACTER COUNTS! at Gaithersburg Middle School, and a new baseball field and lights at Gaithersburg High School," Ashman said.

Shea also founded G-SHARP, a nonprofit organization that worked with middle and high school students who had been suspended. Through her efforts and "tough love approach," the students kept up with their school work and learned valuable life lessons, according to Ashman.

In 2006, Shea received the city's highest honor, the Distinguished Citizen Award.

"People like Eileen are the backbone of our community. She was active, involved, passionate, and impactful. She will be missed, and yet we know that her spirit and her legacy will grace the City of Gaithersburg for years to come," Ashman said.

A celebration of Shea's life will be planned at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Southern Poverty Law Center, Brothers Academy, and St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth, and Families.