Lois Irene (Shepardson) Nogueira

Lois Irene (Shepardson) Nogueira

July 11, 1941 – September 28, 2025

Lois Nogueira, 84, of Fitchburg, died peacefully at home on Sunday, September 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Though we grieve the loss, we celebrate the incredible person she was, and we are grateful for the lasting impact she had on our lives. 

Lois was born in Pittsfield, MA to the late Marshall and Octavia (Rome) Shepardson. Lois lived a deep life of faith, raising a loving family, and dedicating over thirty years to ministry and service. She was a campus minister and pastoral associate at the Newman Center at FSC and St. Camillus Church along with being the director of Mercy Ministries. She also served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and Lector. 

Lois cherished the time she spent with her family, finding joy in the simple, everyday moments as well as the holidays, especially Christmas and Easter. She especially enjoyed her daily walks with her loving husband, vacations to Maine (the Nubble, Marginal Way, and walking the beaches) and New Hampshire (scenic drives, hikes and diners) which held a special place in her heart, creating memories filled with laughter and love. Her favorite pastimes were reading and completing puzzles of all kinds alongside her husband. Lois will always be remembered for her personalized hand-drawn cards that brought joy to those who received them, being a thoughtful, compassionate listener, her quick wit and humor, as well as for opening her heart and home to all. 

Lois is survived by her husband Benjamin with whom she shared 64 wonderful years of marriage, her children and their spouses: Stephen, Lisa, Lori, Elaine and Craig Shorey, Michael and Theresa, Marie and John Stamas, Christine, and Marcie and Trish. Grandchildren: John and Krystiana, Caitlin and John, Mannie, Nicholas, Sabrina, Nathan, Amanda, Lauren, and Raelynn. She is also survived by her sister Martha Rash, in-laws David Noonan, Kathleen Shepardson, Elvira and Alfred Terranova,and many nieces and nephews and their children, and countless friends and "adopted" family members who were very dear to her. She is predeceased by her siblings Elaine Noonan and Jon Shepardson.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 11th at 10am at St. Camillus Church, 333 Mechanic St., Fitchburg, MA, with burial immediately to follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Fitchburg, MA. All who knew and loved Lois are welcome to attend. There are no calling hours.

Lois' family would like to thank all of the staff at UMass Memorial Hospice, Burbank Cancer Center, Dana-Farber and Massachusetts General Hospital for the exceptional care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mercy Ministries at 333 Mechanic St., Fitchburg MA, St. Vincent de Paul c/o St. Joseph's Church 49 Woodland St., Fitchburg MA, or St. Jude Children's Hospital. 

As a tribute to Lois, remember to see the beauty and goodness in the world, be kind to all, and remember,  

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO HAVE A GOOD DAY.

She loved,

She tried,

She did her best 

 - Lois Nogueira