Shirley A. Viera

Shirley A. Viera, 88, of Seekonk, Massachusetts, passed away in her home on Thursday, December 22, 2022. Shirley was born in Providence on November 28, 1934, to the late James and Mildred (Wronkowski) Lepore.

In early 1952, Shirley met Anthony (Tony) Viera at a jewelry manufacturing business and they were happily married on November 15, 1952. Shirley and Tony spent many wonderful summers camping in North Truro on Cape Cod before Tony’s passing in 2019. She loved being by the Atlantic Ocean, walking to the Highland Lighthouse, and digging for quahogs. She made the most delicious quahog chowder, clams casinos and stuffed quahogs from her bounty. Nantucket was her island of choice to visit, and beautiful times were spent there in summer and in winter with the solitude of wind and waves. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday and she decorated and cooked with flair. Even her little chicken coop would have a Fall wreath. She loved gardening her flower beds and brought the blossoms to many of her friends to send them cheer. She was an avid hiker in a hiking club during her earlier years and hiked Mount Monadnock in NH. Her favorite experience of all times was a hot air balloon trip with her loving husband following her balloon trek in his truck until she safely arrived back on ground.

Shirley was a determined and independent woman. She survived 3 bouts of cancer and continued to be a woman who cared for others and their difficulties.

Shirley worked for the Swansea School Department in the school lunch program before she retired. She also was a foster parent for Children's Friend and Services for 6 years.

She leaves one daughter, Donna Needham, and her husband Joseph, four grandchildren, Jonathan Polak, Allyson Sheffield and her husband Rob, Sean Needham and Jake Needham, two great grandchildren, Ashley Polak and Amber Polak, her godchild, Kim Balasco and nephew James Lepore, and her faithful dog companion, Jack. She was the sister of the late Robert Lepore and mother-in-law of the late James E. Polak

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 6, 2023 at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Taunton Avenue, Seekonk. Burial will be in Seekonk Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 5-8 PM in the PERRY-McSTAY FUNERAL HOME, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence.