Imogene Cooper Shea

Imogene (Jean) Cooper Shea, lovingly known as “Granny”, passed away peacefully at the age of 96, in her home, surrounded by her children. Jean was born on August 3, 1926, to Oliver Stephens and Lucy Ray Cooper, in Nashville, and was raised in Chapel Hill, Tennessee along with her 10 siblings.

Preceded in death by her loving husband, Edward Joseph (Eddie) Shea, and her grandchildren, Stephen Joseph Donlon, Megan Elizabeth Whaley, and Timothy Clifford Baldwin, and son-in-law Robert Evan Corenswet. Preceded in death by her long-time family helper and companion, Adella (Nanny) Riley.

Jean is survived by her seven children, Mary Jane Baldwin (Linda Ford), Lucy Corenswet, Michael (Angela) Shea, Ellen (Patrick) Donlon, Elizabeth Campbell, Sarah Shea, and Brigid (Mark) Lustig. Granny is also survived by 21 grandchildren: Patrick (Keri) Baldwin, Nikki Ford, Matthew Corenswet, Haley (Jonathon) Attridge, Lucy Shea, Grady Shea, Cooper Shea, Noel Chambley, Robert Selfridge, Ronnie Selfridge, Katie (Steve) Horvath, David (Betsy) Donlon, John (Abby) Donlon, Elizabeth (Brady) Allred, Sarah (Ben) Bannister, Kevin (Margaret) Campbell, Brandt (Courtney Bressler) Campbell, Shea (Kurt) Kress, Allie (David) Linane, Emily (Ben Zellmer) Lustig, Joe Lustig. 24 great grandchildren: Charlie, Sadie, and Iris Baldwin, Beau and Evan Corenswet, Riley Marsh, Seamus and Charlotte Attridge, Patrick, Maria and Daniel Horvath, Mollie, Jack and Thomas Donlon, Bonnie and Mary Rose Donlon, William Allred, Brown, Oliver and Asher Bannister, Will, Roe and Bond Campbell, and Campbell Kress.

Jean is survived by her brother, Carl Cooper of Chapel Hill and many wonderful nieces and nephews from the Cooper and Shea families.

She graduated from Forest High School in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, earned her Nursing Degree from St. Thomas School of Nursing and later received her BS from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tn.

She was a long-time parishioner of Cathedral of the Incarnation where she was married to Eddie in 1949.

Jean Shea worked as an RN at St. Thomas Hospital in multiple areas throughout her lifetime and was also the Director of Nursing Services for Clover Bottom Developmental Center for 18 years where the residents called her “Mama Shea!”

She was a charter member of the St. Thomas Hospital Auxiliary in 1960 (Pink Ladies), having served as the Auxiliary’s President, Recording Secretary, Public Relations Chairman and Volunteer Activities Chairman. A member of several service organizations, including the Colonna Club, she was the also the recipient of numerous Nashville community service awards, served on the Nursing Advisory Board for the Tennessee State Technical Institute, writing the first LPN Manual for the State of Tennessee.

Jean, along with her husband Ed, were involved in Family & Children’s Service Foster Parents Program and lovingly cared for over 20 babies in their family home over a period of 8 years who were then adopted into permanent homes.

Jean loved reading current events, loved her “Tennessean” and novels. She enjoyed gardening, was famous for her chess pies and deviled eggs so much that her grandchildren used to hide them from each other! Moreover, Jean had a great love for her family, her Catholic faith and in her extra special devotions to St. Therese of the Little Flower, St. Jude and St. Anthony, and St. Andrew.

Her family would like to give special thanks to her best friend, Judi Adkisson, who was always faithful and devoted. They would also like to thank TOA Physicians, Dr. Philip Karpos and Dr. Edward Glen and Dr. Mark Houston, Angela and Amanda at AccentCare of Franklin, Tn, who provided health care & hospice for the past three months.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Dominican Campus (4210 Harding Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37205) and/or to Camp Marymount (1318 Fairview Blvd., Fairview Tennessee, 37062) or to the charity of your choice.

The family will receive friends at Cathedral of the Incarnation at 9:00am, one hour prior to the funeral mass at 10:00, on Monday, December 19, 2022. Private family burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the Shea family.