Margaret M. Shaughnessy

ATHOL - Margaret M. (Ferry) Shaughnessy, 90 of 66 Newton St. died Thursday, July 20, 2006 in the Athol Memorial Hospital following an illness. She was born in Kingston, PA, on March 3, 1916, the daughter of the late Philip and the late Ellen (Cahalan) Ferry. She was raised in Pennsylvania where she attended Misericordia College in Dallas, PA and later was graduated from Hahneman Hospital Nursing School in Philadelphia, PA. There she met and married William J. Shaughnessy, M.D. in 1939 while he attended Hahnemann Medical School. Following World War II, they lived in Worcester, and from 1949 to 1959 lived in Winchendon, moving to Athol in 1959 where they raised their family of 12 children. She returned to the workforce during the mid 1960's and enjoyed a professional career for over 20 years first as a social worker for Catholic Charities of the Worcester Diocese and later as a social worker at Athol Memorial Hospital. Throughout her long life, Peg was socially involved with many organizations committed to community service. She was a faithful parishioner and active communicant of Our Lady Immaculate Church, past President of the Catholic Women's League of the Church, and was active in the Holy Family League of Charities of Athol. She was also a member of the Athol Council on Aging. In addition, she was a member of The Petersham Curling Club as well as a member of several area bridge clubs. Peg was a devoted parent and grandparent and spent many summers with her family at Higgins Beach in Maine. She leaves six daughters; Maryalice A. Mansur of Gloucester, Ellen M. Redgate of Fairfield, CT, Margaret M. Schwab of Athol, Claire A. Starrett of Athol, Maryann Thompson of Groton, Mary K. Sparicio of Natick, and five sons; William J. Shaughnessy, Jr. of Northbridge, Philip H. Shaughnessy of Orange, Henry M. Shaughnessy of Greenfield, Thomas P. Shaughnessy of Chesapeake, VA, and Joel R. Shaughnessy of Athol, twenty-four grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. William J. Shaughnessy who died July 3, 1998 and a daughter, Ann Shaughnessy who died in 1953. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, July 27, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Glenallen St., Winchendon, MA. Calling hours will be held in the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The family suggests that donations may be made in Mrs. Shaughnessy's memory to the Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Fund, 2033 Main St., Athol, MA 01331 or to the donor's choice. $(document).ready(function(){ });