Margaret C. Shaughnessy

Her dad, William Aloysius Shaughnessy, followed the oil rush and worked as an accountant for the Mid-Continent Petroleum Corporation in Tulsa Oklahoma in the 1920’s. He saw the beautiful “Miss Tulsa” riding in a parade and vowed to get to know her. He married “Miss Tulsa” aka Cecil Elizabeth Branstetter. Margie’s siblings were all born in Tulsa. Margaret was born in Waltham, Massachusetts after the family returned to her father’s hometown. Despite living through Depression-era poverty, she delighted in time spent with her family. She fondly remembered sitting at the kitchen table with her siblings listening to the spooky melodrama “Inner Sanctum” on the radio with the lights out! Margie recalled that she used to sit up straight (arms close to her sides) to ward off her brother's tickling as they went to their chairs for meals. She enjoyed trips to Beattie’s Market, Brigham's Ice Cream and 1st National grocery store. She and her older sister, Mary, assisted their mother in the kitchen duties and prepared family meals. She walked 2 miles to St. Joseph’s grammar school and nearby St. Mary’s for High School. Margie dreaded the many hours she was told to practice the piano but was glad that she mastered classical piano pieces. She fondly recalled stories of ice skating on Hubbard’s Pond, cookouts and picnics in Prospect Hill Park behind their house, taking the risky shortcut along a single-track train bridge, and berry picking for her mom to make scrumptious pies. Margie loved her extended Shaughnessy family in Waltham and always sought to stay in touch.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in 1962 and Masters in Education in 1965 from Boston College. She often spoke of packing her lunch and dinner and taking a bus and train and another bus into work and school. She earned her tuition by working as a secretary during the day and then went to evening classes. She earned 37 credits beyond her master’s degree from Northeastern University, Boston University, Boston College and George Mason University.

Margie was a devout Catholic and entered the convent for a time to discern a vocation as a religious sister. When it became clear to her that she was called to live out her faith in the secular world, Margie enthusiastically embraced a career in teaching. She taught at Catholic and public elementary schools in Massachusetts, New York City, Maryland and Virginia. She delighted in her time in the classroom with her students. Margie sought to be approachable and help “make learning fun.” From the many thank-you letters from her students; she clearly achieved her goal.

In the 1980’s Margie bought a townhouse on the border of the Army/Navy Country Club in Arlington Virginia (5 minutes away from her beloved brother, John). In addition to playing many rounds of golf together, she and John spent innumerable happy hours socializing with friends from Army/Navy, neighbors and fellow parishioners from Our Lady of Lourdes.

After retiring from teaching, she undertook work as a staff member of the Military Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA from 2005 until 2019. She was proud that her aunt Mary Flannery Shaughnessy and her niece, Patricia Maureen Shaughnessy, were in the registry of the Memorial. Margie thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet, read about and serve the admirable women in the US Military. She was well-known for cheerful demeanor when welcoming visitors and inspiring anecdotes about the exhibits. Margie also volunteered at the White House Visitor’s Center from 2004- 2019. She was proud of her country and wanted to be of service.

Margie enjoyed playing classical piano, attending concerts, listening to Chopin records and reading novels. She moved into an Independent Living apartment at Riderwood in Maryland in 2019. She quickly made many friends. Her nieces joked that she was the “Mayor of Riderwood” because she would sit for hours on end at the front entrance and greet everyone with her ready smile and witty remarks. Her brother John entered Riderwood’s rehab center (due to a fall which debilitated him) 2 months after she arrived. She walked to his place most days, brought him treats and spent many hours chatting with John and the other residents and staff of Arbor Ridge. Margie was devoted to John.

Margie was grateful for the spiritual care given by all the priests of Resurrection Parish who offer Mass in the Riderwood chapel twice a week. She made numerous visits to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel throughout the week to pray for family and friends. Margie entered Assisted Living in February 2024. We are grateful for all of the Aides and staff who showered her with affection and tender care.

As her mobility decreased, she was able to continue visits to the chapel, go on errands and local adventures with the assistance of some of her favorite “young people” including her nieces Audrey and Clare, her nephew Eddie and family friends: Maura, Suzie and Jacqueline.

Family was one of Margie’s top priorities. She treasured time spent with family members who visited throughout her stay at Riderwood. Most especially, the Sunday trips to Mass and lunch with Ann, Joe and Ana Boland which entailed many calories and much hilarity.

Margaret leaves her nieces and nephews: William D. (Jaye) Shaughnessy, Ann S. (Joseph) Boland, Susan S. (Joseph) Baglini, Mary T. (Bernard) Collins, Kathryn G. (Kevin) Rioux, David (Sandra) Sharp, Susan Bondur and Kathy (Scott) Vonhof as well as many great nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her siblings William D. (Patricia) Shaughnessy, John M. Shaughnessy, Mary Teresa (Warren) Sharp, Mary Ann Shaughnessy and her niece, Patricia Maureen Shaughnessy, M.D.