Maureen Shay Groves of The Landings at Skidaway Island passed peacefully at home on  February 19, 2025 at the age of 93.

Maureen Alice Shay was born on December 22, 1931 in Yonkers, NY, the first child of John and Mary Alice Boehmer Shay.  She graduated with honors from Gorton High School in 1949 and went on to secretarial training at The Katharine Gibbs School (when hats and white gloves were still required of all students). After graduation, she worked as an executive assistant at the advertising firm of N.W. Ayer in New York City.

She met George Groves on a blind date at a dance at Lafayette College and they were married on June 13, 1953. They honeymooned at Sea Island, Georgia and George left to serve in the Army a few weeks later. 

After his return, the couple settled in Cincinnati, Ohio  where their four children were born.  As a stay-at-home mom she became an expert at juggling so that everyone and everything got the attention they needed. She also found time to organize Zenith Court block parties and her bridge club, as well as to lead Laura’s Girl Scout troop. 

 After George was transferred to the New York area in 1968, the family moved to Essex Fells, N.J.  As the kids became more independent , she accepted a position as an administrative assistant at the Essex Fells borough hall where she worked for over 20 years. She also established a local Girl Scout troop with her friend Thelma Adams, with Christine and Laura among the first members.

      In 1970, the family built a summer home in Groton Long Point CT, where Maureen took up tennis and met many lifelong friends, including her long-time doubles partner Sue Motycka. They were a winning team! She was a proud member of the GLP “Hot Flashes” and enjoyed the camaraderie when they played against the “PonyTails.” Golf became another passion, at Essex Fells CC, Stonington Golf Club, and the Landings Club after she and George purchased a home there.  She played with the “nine-holers” group at the Landings, and in GLP during the summer.

Maureen and George loved to travel.  When the kids were young, there were annual summer road trips from Ohio to GLP and visits to family in Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York. As their horizons expanded and retirement gave them more free time, they visited every continent except Antarctica. They  traveled to London, Paris, Rome and Athens among many other cities, and photos of their safari in Africa dotted the end tables in their home.  They especially enjoyed their river cruises through Europe and Alaska.

Maureen was predeceased by George, the love of her life for 71 years, on February 10th. She is survived by their four children Laura (Brian) Murphy; Christine, who has been mom and dad’s loving, patient caregiver and companion for the past five years; Carl (Janet); and Bill (Kim). She was a beloved Nana (“NooNoo”)to 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren and will also be missed by her brother John Jr. (“Jackie Boy”),  sister Carol Ann Priolo, and her extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private service will be held.