Two Long-Time Shrewsbury Residents Die

Sheilagh M. (Donoghue) Coulter died peacefully at home after an extended illness on Monday, March 5. She was born in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 22, 1933; daughter of Harry and Helen (Crowley) Donoghue. She grew up in Bethesda, MD and graduated from Trinity College with a political science degree. She worked as a research analyst for the CIA before marrying and raising a family. After her children were grown, she worked for over 20 years at the WPI Continuing Professional Education Program in Worcester, MA where she was a seminar coordinator and administrator for over 20 years.

She was married to Lt. Colonel Richard W. Coulter for 51 years. He died in 2010. She is survived by her son, Patrick Coulter of Shrewsbury, daughter, Maureen Coulter of Shrewsbury and daughter Christine Briggs and her husband, Timothy Briggs of Shrewsbury. She will be greatly missed by her three close grandchildren, Michael and Timothy Briggs of Shrewsbury, and Katie Coulter of Auburn. Sheilagh also leaves her brother Rev. Harry Thomas Donoghue of Washington, D.C., her sister Kathleen Woodland of Norristown, PA; her brother Kevin Donoghue and his wife, Phylis of Potomac, MD, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Sheilagh was a devoted military wife and mother, caring for her family and moving her family seven times during her husband’s 22-year military career. She was very active in each community participating in various women’s groups, PTAs, scouts and church organizations. For over 40 years, Sheilagh was an active member and eucharistic minister at in Shrewsbury. Sheilagh also volunteered at the and .

Calling hours will be held Thursday, March 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Britton—Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main St. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 9 at 11 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Church, corner of Main and Summer Streets, Shrewsbury. Burial will be private in The Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA where she will be buried next to her husband. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the UMASS Levine Cancer Center c/o UMASS Development Office, 333 South St. Shrewsbury, MA

Kenneth C. "Ken" Gaucher, 76, of Shrewsbury, died peacefully, Feb. 25 in UMass Memorial Medical Center—Memorial Campus. 

Ken leaves his wife of 51 years, Joan A. (Spain) Gaucher; three daughters, Cynthia Harrison of Worcester, Cheryl A. Cicero and her husband, Anthony of Kittery, ME and Cathleen E. Senecal of Bangor, ME; one son, Charles K. Gaucher and his wife, Betsy of China; a sister, Eleanor Phillips of Falmouth; a sister-in-law, Margaret Gaucher of Shrewsbury also survived by six grandchildren, Lisa, Joseph, Crystal, Alexas, Sean and William; two great grandchildren, Alexander and Lennon and several nieces and nephews. Ken was predeceased by a son, Gregory and a brother, Robert L. Gaucher.

He was born in Worcester, raised in Shrewsbury and was the son of the late William and Dorothy (Adams) Gaucher. He graduated from and later served his country with the Unites States Army. Ken had worked for many years as a land surveyor, retiring from McMannis in 2010. 

Ken was an active and proud member of Wellspring United Methodist Church in Shrewsbury. He was an avid reader and was a daily visitor at the . Ken was also a dedicated sports enthusiast.