Shrewsbury – Patricia Ann (Sherman) Gilchrist, 81, long-term resident of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015 at home, with her family gathered beside her, after a brief illness. She joins her husband, John Gilchrist Jr., who passed away April 13, 2015.
Patricia was born in Milford, one of six children of Francis and Dorothy (Goddard) Sherman. She met and married John Gilchrist in 1957 and lived happily for the next 57 years. They settled in Northborough to raise their family and lived there many years before moving to Shrewsbury 16 years ago.
Patricia is survived by her son, Michael T. Gilchrist and his fiancée Barbara J. Boulanger of Shrewsbury; her daughter, Patricia A. Arcure and her husband John of Oxford; two grandchildren she adored, Ryan Clifford and Stephanie Clifford; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Besides her husband John, she was predeceased by her brother, Francis Sherman; her twin sister, Dorothy “Dottie” Kenney; her sister, Barbara Sherman; and twins Anna and Edward Sherman, who passed away as infants.
She worked as a bookkeeper for the former Killeen Machine Tool Company in Worcester for 25-plus years, and then at Sharp Tools in Hudson before retiring.
Patricia was a member of St Mary’s Parish in Shrewsbury. She loved to travel, tend her yard and garden with her husband, the beaches of Maine in the summer, cruises and ceramics. Her joy was especially her family, she was also very proud of her grandchildren, attending their many activities and sporting events.
Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Monday, Aug. 31, from 9-10:15 a.m., in the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St. Worcester. Her funeral will then proceed to St Mary’s Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury, where her celebration of life funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Baypath Humane Society, 5 Rafferty Rd., Hopkinton, MA 01748 or NEADS dogs for the disabled, 305 Redemption Rock Trail, Princeton, MA 01541.
