DUDLEY - Brenda Lucy Shore (nee Simmonite) passed away at UMass Memorial Hospital University Campus on September 6, 2024, one month shy of her 85th birthday following a long and valiant fight with lung disease, heart failure, and ovarian cancer.
Born in Sheffield, England to Frederick and Lucy Simmonite (deceased), and elder sister to David Simmonite, now of Australia, she blossomed into a beautiful and very capable young woman despite the many hardships of growing up in the World War II era in an industrial city that was a frequent bombing target. After graduating from secretarial college, she enjoyed working at a variety of businesses until she landed at British Iron and Steel Research Association (BISRA) where she met her future husband, Terence Michael Shore. After a whirlwind romance during which Michael whisked her away to glamorous Paris, the two were wed at St. James Church: Norton in Sheffield on March 9, 1963. Their life together was highlighted by early years of travel across Europe, as Michael (she refused to call him “Mike”) began his 50 plus year career with steel industry leader Morgan Construction Company. Children in tow, they spent significant time in both Spain and Germany, with Brenda gamely trying to manage their young household despite not having the gift for languages that helped elevate Michael in the company. Returning to the UK to begin schooling for the children, they made their home amid the verdant farmlands of Cheshire. With Michael traveling further and further away for extensive periods of time as the steel industry shifted to Japan, China, the USSR, Argentina, North Africa and other far-flung places, Brenda focused her attention on the children and the home they purchased in 1972, Beechwood Cottage. At over 200 years old, the white house on the winding country lane initially had little to recommend it. A potato field grew up to the back door, the living room had been used for lambing, and the incorporated garage was infested with rats. With a visionary eye,
Brenda and Michael (with periods of help from both of their fathers) worked hard to turn a near shambles into a magnificent property surrounded by rose beds, lilac bushes, and original flagged pavers from the streets of nearby Manchester. Brenda became an expert in decorating, doing much of the painting and varnishing herself, finding joy in the perfection of her work. In 1988 the family relocated to Worcester, Massachusetts, the headquarters for Morgan Construction where Michael eventually retired after 53 years of service as Senior Vice President of Engineering. Brenda and Michael lived much of the following years in the nearby town of Princeton, where they created two beautiful homes, the last one a custom build offering magnificent views of Boston from its mountain perch. Brenda’s elegant touch was evident throughout both houses. Though they moved to Dudley, Massachusetts in 2023 to be closer to their son, Brenda’s health began to deteriorate. Brenda passed away as they were preparing to move to The Willows, an assisted living facility in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Brenda loved crossword puzzles, chatting to her daughter, shopping trips that included lunch, and not having to cook. Though she learned to play piano as a child, she preferred to listen to classical pianists and dream of her hands skittering across the keys. She enjoyed traveling with Michael, accompanying him on business trips to conferences around the world, as well as taking relaxing vacations (preferably with as little packing and unpacking as possible). She was always the best dressed person in the room, and to the very last, an elegant and dignified lady.
Brenda leaves behind her beloved husband of 61 years, Terence Michael Shore; daughter Helen Shore and wife Kristal Marshall-Shore; son Stephen Mark Shore and wife Christine Shore; her adored grandchildren, Alexandra Shore and husband Johannes Jungschaffer, and Andrew Shore; and their rescue dog, Sammie. She is also survived by her brother David, as well as cousins and relatives back in the UK and Australia. She will be greatly missed by all who met her.
A service in memory of Brenda will be held at the Sitkowski, Malboeuf, and Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster on Thursday October 10, 2024, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with a gathering after at Point Breeze, 114 Point Breeze Rd, Webster, MA from 6:30 pm for those who would like to attend. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sterling Animal Shelter (https://www.sterlingshelter.org/).