Shelley J. Frontiero Obituary
Shelley J. (Hughes) Frontiero, age 62 of Gloucester, MA, passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, MA, after a brief illness.
She was born on June 25, 1963, in Somerville, MA, to Judith (Sears) Cote. A devoted daughter to her mother Judy and father Dan, Shelley loved her family and the beauty and community of Cape Ann.
Shelley earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Simmons University. Her compassion for helping people served as a guiding force throughout her life. As an EMT and 911 dispatch operator, Shelley worked tirelessly to help those in their time of need. During her time as a social worker for Action and Senior Care, Shelley's empathy and kindness brightened the lives of the community's most vulnerable.
Shelley's kindness and generosity knew no bounds. She developed caring and close friendships with many of the clients she supported as a social worker at Senior Care. Helping others in need was truly a lifelong passion of Shelley's. The greatest lesson she shared with us is the importance of optimism and being present for those you love. Shelley leaves behind a legacy of generosity, kindness, compassion, and empathy.
Shelley survived by her father, Daniel Cote of Salem, MA, husband Paul J. Frontiero of Gloucester, MA, son Jeffrey Lander and wife Pamela of Northbridge, MA and Zachary Frontiero of Gloucester, MA. She is also survived by her sister Heidi Herdman of Peabody, MA, brother Stephen Cote and wife Angela of Wenham, MA, brother-in-law John Frontiero of ME, and sister-in-law Laurie Galante of NC.
She is also survived by grandchildren Sydney and Derek Lander and Jonathan Frontiero, nieces and nephew Heather and Holly Herdman and Ava and Alec Cote, and Godchild Ashley (Andrew) Gaucher. She leaves behind a lifetime of memories with cherished friends Lisa (Legendre) Andrew and Stephanie (Sassone) Hanley.
Shelley is predeceased by her mother Judith Cote, grandparents Loren and Matilda Sears, Auntie Claire Adams, brother-in-law Dale Herdman, mother and father-in-law Anthony Paul and Mary Elizabeth Frontiero, and sister-in-law Toni (Frontiero) Horn.
Visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, 142 Prospect Street, Gloucester. Her burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Gloucester.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shelley's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org), Cape Ann Community Foundation https://lovecapeann.com or Cape Ann Animal Shelter https://www.capeannanimalaid.org.
