Eileen V. Shanley

Portsmouth, RI - Eileen V. Gorton Shanley, 91, of Turnpike Avenue, Portsmouth, RI, died Monday, February 11, 2008 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI from Pneumonia. She was the wife of the late Joseph Thomas Shanley. Born in Fall River, MA on February 4, 1917, she was the daughter of the late John Barton and Mary Sullivan Gorton.Mrs. Shanley graduated from the Dominican Academy in Fall River in 1934. She attended U.R.I. which was then called R. I. State and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Home Economics in 1939. She taught Home Economics for 38 years at Henry B. Anthony School in Portsmouth, RI, Rogers High School in Newport, RI, Pocasset School and Tiverton High School. Mrs. Shanley was a communicant of St. Anthonys Church in Portsmouth, where she played the organ for over 25 years. She also sang at the Stone Bridge Inn for 3 years in the early 50s. Art was her second career that started after she retired from teaching. She was a well known artist throughout the state and won many prestiges art awards for many years. She belonged to the Newport Art Museum and Art Association, the Providence Art Club, the Greater Fall River Art Association, the Newport Art Association Artist Guild, an early member of the Deblois Gallery in Newport and one of the founders of the Portsmouth Art Guild. Mrs. Shanley also taught are lessons and was a member of Dominican Academy Alumnae Association. She is survived by her son Brian G. Shanley and his wife Emmy L. Shanley of Saunderstown, RI, her grandson Jason M. Quigley of Saunderstown, RI, her granddaughter Paige Taylor and her husband Alfred Taylor of Saunderstown, RI, a great granddaughter Ashlee Taylor of Narragansett, RI, and her brother Vernon L. Gorton of Portsmouth, RI. She also leaves many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.She was the sister of the late John B. Gorton, Jr. and Thomas S. Gorton. Her funeral will be held on Friday, February 15, 2008, at 9:00, from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00, in St. Anthonys Church, East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in Portsmouth Cemetery in Portsmouth.Calling hours will be held on Thursday, February 14, 2008, from 3-5 and 7-9, in the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Portsmouth Arts Guild, 2679 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.