Passionate lifelong teacher

WAKEFIELD — Mary Shirley Sardella of Wakefield died peacefully with family at her side at the age of 93 on October 18, 2024. 

She graduated from Regis College and fulfilled her lifelong passion of teaching children at Winthrop Elementary in Melrose for over 25 years. Shirley was a remarkable woman, a dedicated mother, loving wife, grandmother, sister, and daughter.

She will always be remembered for her loyalty to friends and family, love of reading and writing, love of West Beach in Beverly and most of all her strong Irish temperament. 

She was loved dearly by her family and will be deeply missed. 

She is predeceased by John Sardella, her beloved husband of 67 years, her four sons John, Paul, Bill and Jerry and her eight grandchildren. 

Her funeral Mass will be attended by immediate family members. Arrangements are in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield.