In Memory of

Maureen

(Currie)

Shapter

Obituary for Maureen (Currie) Shapter

Maureen Shapter (nee Currie), 86, of West Hartford, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, after a long illness. 

Born in Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada, Maureen grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she received a diploma in nursing from the Halifax Infirmary in 1958. She married Robert Kevin Shapter, MD, of St. John’s Newfoundland, in 1959 and subsequently lived in Goose Bay, Labrador and St. John’s before emigrating with her young family to Queens, New York in 1963. After several years in New Jersey, the family settled in West Hartford in 1977.

An avid and elegant figure skater in her youth, Maureen also enjoyed sailing and music, becoming an accomplished pianist, a practice she maintained throughout her life. Later, she enjoyed photography and astronomy and became a skilled and prolific knitter, donating many of her works to local charities and hospitals. 

While raising her family, Maureen returned to her career as an RN, working as a home health nurse. She established many long-lasting friendships with her patients and their families. In addition to caring for patients, she also worked for many years as a content editor for continuing education courses for physicians. 

In a rich life underscored by grace and generosity, Maureen touched many with her quiet beauty, intelligence, and a quick and enchanting wit. She was a devoted and fiercely loyal wife, mother, sister, and friend, and was loved by all who knew her.

Maureen is survived by her children, Douglas Shapter (Caroline Foster) of Annapolis, MD; Anne Shapter, MD of Vernon, CT; Lauryn Shapter (Dennis Arbaugh) of Fairfield, IA; and Christine Shapter, MD (Maureen Czick, MD) of Vernon, CT; her grandchildren, Evelyn Burt (Timothy) of Annapolis, MD; Linnea Shapter of Washington, DC; Katie Green of Vernon, CT; and Jack Green of Vernon, CT; and her sisters, Reynalda, Adele, Andrea, and Elizabeth, all of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Maureen is predeceased by her husband, Robert; her parents, Mary Catherine and Raymond Douglas; and her siblings, Mary Lenore, Camille, Douglas, and Robert.

Visiting hours will be held at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, on Friday, February 9, from 4PM to 7PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of St. Peter Claver, 47 Pleasant Street in West Hartford, at 10AM on Saturday, February 10. Entombment will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Mausoleum, Bloomfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Grace Academy, 457 Main St., Hartford, CT 06103. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com