Elizabeth L. "Bette" (Coles) Shimkus

WORCESTER – Elizabeth L. “Bette” (Coles) Shimkus, 90, beloved wife of the late Colonel Daniel F. Shimkus, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Sunday, November 7, 2021.

Born and raised in Leominster, she was the daughter of the late Job and Evelyn (Lynch) Coles. Bette was a graduate of Leominster High School, Class of 1949. She went on to further her education and graduated in 1950 from the Worcester School of Business. After raising a family, she began a career in the guidance office at Providence Street Junior High School and later worked for Mechanics Bank.

Faith and family were first and foremost for Bette. She was a loving mother who enjoyed caring for her family and a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Church. While raising her children, Bette was a member of the PTA and frequently volunteered for school events. She and her husband, Dan, were officers of the Tom Ash Little League where they served together for many years. Bette was very proud of her Irish Heritage and she enjoyed learning more about her own genealogy through research efforts of family members. As the wife of a WWII Veteran and Army reservist, she supported Dan at various Armed Forces and military events and parades over a period of decades. They even traveled to Europe together with his infantry unit to retrace the Battle of the Bulge. Bette was an avid reader and enjoyed baking; never arriving at a family gathering without cookies, cupcakes and a few cakes in tow. Her hobby was taking care of others. She was the family matriarch, always providing good advice based on her common sense, practical approach, and life experiences …….but only when asked.

She will be lovingly missed and remembered by her daughter, Mary O’Neil and her husband, Robert of Worcester; her three sons, Daniel F. Shimkus, Jr. and his wife, Diane of Worcester, David Shimkus and his wife, Kristina of Newton and Donald Shimkus and his wife, Stacey of Reading; eight grandchildren, Stephen, Shane, Lauren, Alina, Tomas, Ana, Eva and Alexander; and her sister-in-law, Trudy Coles of Worcester. In addition to her husband of 39 years, Daniel, and her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Alice Liddy and her brother, John “Jack” Coles.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather with the family from 9:00 am to 10:30 am on Friday, November 12, 2021, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove Street, Worcester. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, 260 Cambridge Street, Worcester, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.

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