Margaret S Shean

CENTERVILLE - Margaret "Peg" or "Marne" S. Shean, 89, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2013, in Centerville, Mass.

Peg was born on Aug. 7, 1923, in Seymour, Conn. Her parents were Albert John Ahern Sr. and Susan Veronica Ahern. Peg was raised in Seymour and graduated from Seymour High School in 1940. She was awarded a full four-year scholarship to New York University, from which she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1944. After graduation, she moved to Schenectady, N.Y., and worked for General Electric Co., where she met her future husband, Frank A. Shean.

Peg and Frank were married on June 26, 1948. They raised four children in the Scotia-Glenville area of New York. In the late 1950s, Peg enrolled at the State University of New York and earned a master’s degree in Education. She then taught elementary school within two local school districts.

Peg left teaching in the 1960s to spend more time enjoying her family and pursuing her many hobbies and other interests, which included: playing and teaching bridge, square dancing, reading, word puzzles, sewing/tailoring, photography, birding, playing guitar, languages (especially French) and travelling. She and her family were avid campers who visited National Parks and other campsites throughout the country. Many were the adventures that she experienced along the way with her husband, family and friends.

Peg and Frank were married for 54 years. For over 45 of those years, they lived in upstate New York. They moved to Florida in the 1990s, where Peg continued her involvement in various community volunteer activities and enjoyed unparalleled success as a bocce ball competitor. In 2007, Peg moved to Cape Cod, where she spent the final years of her life.

Throughout her life, Peg had a special affinity for books and libraries. She performed volunteer work in numerous libraries and, during her many travels, she never missed an opportunity to visit a new library and borrow a few books. Peg was a lifelong learner, whose simple philosophy was captured well in her mantra of: "Live as if you were to die tomorrow, and learn as if you were to live forever."

When asked, years ago, what she considered her greatest accomplishment, she replied "To have loved and to have been loved. " Though she was afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, Peg never lost her zest for life. Right up until her final days, she was known for her radiant smile and ability to enjoy life in the moment.

Peg was predeceased by her husband, Frank, in May of 2002, and brother Albert "Jack" John Ahern Jr. in May of 2012.

She is survived and lovingly remembered by her four children and their spouses: Robert W. Shean and Claire of Catonsville, Md., Susan A. French and Richards of Barnstable, Mass., John FX Shean of Ballston Lake, N.Y., and Terence M. Shean and Marianne of Marshfield, Mass.; seven grandchildren: Stephanie, David, Allison, Dominick, Juliana, Christopher and Sara; two great-grandchildren, Naomi and Owen; five nieces and a nephew; and other family and friends.

The family would like to especially thank the staff at Harbor Point Assisted Living in Centerville, the Beacon Hospice staff, and Emerald Physicians (Dr. Mita Gupta, Heather Malcolmson, and Deb Landry) for the loving, compassionate care that Peg received during her last five years of life.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Our Lady of Hope Chapel, Route 6A, West Barnstable.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor Peg’s love of libraries and learning, memorial donations may be made to Sturgis Library, (Attn: Lucy Loomis), P.O. Box 606, Barnstable, MA 02630