Maureen Ellen Hosford

Maureen Ellen Hosford of Southfield, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 21, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1949, in Elizabeth, N.J., she was the daughter of Frank and Dorothy (Doris) Brannigan Shields.

She graduated from Battin High School in Elizabeth, then the only remaining all-girls public high school in the country and subsequently attended Trenton State College before transferring to Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.  She then pursued a career in the college bookstore leasing industry, first working at Brennan College Services based in Springfield, MA. and later for the Follett Corporation of Chicago.  In 2007, she retired after thirty years at Follett, the last fourteen as Group Vice President of Operations for a region extending from Florida to Ottawa, Canada, which served the needs of academic communities at some 125 universities.

Maureen’s passions in retirement included family, friends, gardening, travel and learning to speak Italian. She also relished engaging in community service.  For nearly nine years Maureen served on the New Marlborough Cultural Council, twice as co-chair.  An avid reader, she belonged to the Friends of the New Marlborough Library and was elected to two three-year terms as a Trustee.

Maureen is survived by her loving husband of 38 years David, her sister and soul mate Kathleen (Katie) Shields, her granddaughter Sophia, the absolute “apple of her eye”, Sophia’s parents, step-son Matthew and his wife Diana Hosford of Washington, D.C. and step-daughter, Lindsey Colburn who is currently posted in Tel Aviv.  She also leaves her sister-in-law Ellen Ruth Hosford and her partner Betty Brown of Tunbridge, VT. and five nieces and nephews who are the children of her late brother Thomas Shields of Bradley Beach, N.J.  Along with her brother, Maureen was also predeceased by her parents.

There will be a Funeral Mass on Friday, July 28, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Peter’s Church in Gt. Barrington, MA. with the Rev. William Murphy officiating.

The omission of flowers is requested.  Memorial donations may be made to either HospiceCare in the Berkshires or Friends of New Marlborough Library thru Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Gt. Barrington, MA. 01230, which is handling arrangements.  To send remembrances to the family go to www.finnertyandstevens.com .