Eileen Mason Shea

On September 23, 2020, Eileen Mason Shea died at her home as a result of complications from gallbladder cancer. Eileen was born in Brooklyn, NY on April 25, 1948, to Margaret and Jesse Mason, and carried deep pride in her Brooklyn roots. She married David Shea, also of Brooklyn, in 1970. Beloved mother to Kathleen (Craig) of Washington, DC, Chrissie of Washington, DC, and Tim of Charlottesville, VA, Eileen raised her family in Gaithersburg, MD and made a meaningful impact in her adopted hometown. Eileen was a tireless advocate and found her passion in civic involvement and championing educational causes. She founded the G-SHARP program in 2001 and brought connection and empowerment to countless students. Honored in 2006 as Gaithersburg’s Citizen of the Year, Eileen held herself and those around her to the highest standards in pursuit of improvement, equality, and opportunity for all.
Eileen’s world revolved around her three granddaughters, Emma (11), Claire (9), and Molly (6), and they routinely embarked on both travel adventures and local escapades together. Eileen was devoted to her younger brother, Edward Mason, of Brooklyn, NY; she was predeceased by her older sister, Carol Brown (Bob) of Colorado Springs. Eileen is also dearly missed by her nephew, Kevin Brown (Wendy) and her niece, Bonnie Flandrau (Pete), as well as her beloved Eric and Lauren Flandrau.

A celebration of Eileen’s life will be planned at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Southern Poverty Law Center, Brothers Academy, St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth, and Families, and any campaigns seeking to promote social justice and the advancement of progressive causes.