SHREWSBURY- Doris M. (Francis) Carney, 86, of Shrewsbury died Monday, April 14, 2014 in UMass Memorial Medical Center-University Campus surrounded by her devoted family after complications with Diabetes.

Doris’ husband of 58 years, Richard D. Carney, Sr., retired Shrewsbury Town Manager, died in 2011. Doris leaves six children: Nancy E. Snow and her husband James of Belchertown, Susan T. Breagy and her husband Richard of Hubbardston, Jayne Carney Senecal and her husband Gregg of Shrewsbury, Linda M. Dupell and her husband Doug of Orange, R. David Carney, Jr., and his wife Mary of Shrewsbury, and Peter J. Carney, Sr., and his wife Christine of Shrewsbury; 11 grandchildren: James E. Snow, G. Scott Senecal, Patrick W. Marmysh, Richard T. Senecal, William (Bill) Snow, Peter J. Carney, Jr., John R. Carney, Daniel W. Carney, Krysten M. Barnhill, Timothy W. Carney and Matthew B. Breagy; Kayla and Michael; three great grandchildren, Everett, Declan and Cody; 3 sister in laws and 2 brother-in-laws; beloved nieces, nephews and godchildren. Doris was predeceased by her infant grandson, Christopher Francis Senecal.

She was born in Tewksbury on December 15, 1927 and was raised in Haverhill. After graduating from high school, Doris worked in an office and also as a live fashion model in Boston, where she was spotted by Richard as she posed in the window of a fancy clothing store. In 1953, Doris and Richard married in Arlington, MA and they resided there until shortly after Richard took the Town Manager’s position in Shrewsbury in 1957. Later in her life, after raising her family, she returned to college as a “non-traditional student” and earned her Associate’s Degree in Library Science from Worcester Junior College.

Doris spent most of her life giving of herself to others. In addition to raising 6 children, she volunteered for many decades for wonderful associations. She was as a “Pink Lady” at Saint Vincent Hospital; a volunteer at the Voluntary Action Center in Worcester; a volunteer librarian at St. John’s Ascension Grammar School, the Worcester Youth Guidance Center and the Glavin Center in Shrewsbury. For many years, she transcribed books into Braille for the blind. In 1985, Doris received a Citation of Recognition from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for her outstanding contributions as a volunteer worker in Worcester County. She was a lifetime member of the Guild of the Lady of Providence for the Diocese of Worcester. She also served as a Girl Scout Leader and a Catechism instructor at Saint Anne’s Parish in Shrewsbury, where she was a faithful member since 1958.

Doris and her husband Richard loved their summer home in Chatham, where she especially enjoyed visiting with old friends, gardening and passing the time doing puzzles and decorating her home. For anyone familiar with Doris through the years knew that she was an avid hobbyist and collector. She had truly creative displays of unusual possessions. She had a wonderfully unique personality, was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and caring friend to many and will be deeply missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Doris’s family on Sunday, April 27, 2014 from 4-7 PM in the Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 28, 2014 at 10 AM in Saint Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike,
Shrewsbury. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association or Saint Anne’s Church, Shrewsbury.