Loretta S. O’Brien, age 88 of Sharon passed away at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Needham on February 17th Born and raised in Boston Loretta graduated from the Girls Latin School Class of 1947. Loretta did not follow the traditional path of a GLS graduate by going immediately to college. She went to work, married, raised two daughters and then resumed her formal education. In 1969 she earned a BA (Biology) from UMass Boston, 1971 she earned a LCSW from Simmons School of Social Work and in 1977 she earned her JD at New England School of Law. From 1971-1978 Loretta worked for Mass Dept. of Public Welfare as a Senior Social Worker, she spent the next 21 years at the Norwood Legal Center and then went on to her shared practice Caccavaro, Fitzpatrick and Seinfart, PA in Norwood. Through out her career Attorney O’Brien was the recipient of many awards: Appalachian Mount Club; Distinguished Service Award, Bar Association of Norfolk County; Pro bono Award, Mass Assn. of Women Lawyers; Unsung Hero Award, Mass Bar Assn; Community Service Award and South Middlesex Legal Service Corp; Outstanding Service Award. Loretta was a very actively involved in the Community, she was a member of the Board of Directors and Past President Society Co-Chair for the Appalachian Mountain Club, she was involved in the Career Days at Boston Latin Academy and Sharon Public School. Loretta traveled widely. Loretta was also a Hiking and Paddling Leader. Former wife of the late William Shields. Loving mother of Candice Shields of Australia and the late Leslie Shields. Grandmother of Amy Shields Dobson and Stephen Shields Dobson. She will be greatly missed by her large group of extended family and friends. . Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a celebration of Loretta’s life on Sunday morning at 11:00 in the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home 455 Washington St. Canton. Interment Private. If desired donations in Loretta’s memory can be made to the Sharon Public Library, 11 N. Main St. Sharon, MA 02067.