Obituary of Margaret Marie Agnes Shaughnessy

With great sadness, Pat Tait and Kathy Fenton announce the peaceful passing of their mother, Margaret Shaughnessy on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Afton Park Place, in Sarnia, Ontario at the age of 95.

Margaret was born in Espanola, the 6th child of Napoleon (Paul) Gouge, and Eva (Chaput) Gouge. The family lived in Espanola for many years, but eventually relocated to Sault Ste. Marie. Margaret, at some point, returned to the town of Espanola, where she worked at Goodman’s Department Store and the Butcher’s.  During that time, she met Robert (Bob) Shaughnessy and married him in 1950. They welcomed Patricia Louise in 1953, and Daniel Brian in 1954. They purchased their first home at 35 Appleford Avenue. (renumbered in later years as 299.) In 1960, Kathryn Mary arrived, and their family was complete. Margaret, Bob and family would always visit the Sault in the summer, where many of the relatives would have enjoyable times together, particularly at the lake, as well as trips to Mackinac Island. In 1967 the family took an adventurous road trip in the big Pontiac, to Expo 67 in Montreal. It certainly helped that Margaret was bilingual. Marg made sure that the family was well nourished with homemade sandwiches and snacks, which Dan was charged with hauling around while many pavilions were toured.

Margaret was an accomplished seamstress and an active knitting club member for many years. She made many of her children’s clothes, as well as Hallowe’en costumes, skating costumes and doll clothes. She was also a wonderful cook.  In 1970, Margaret went into business for herself, purchasing Espanola Remnant Store and renaming it Espanola Sewing Centre. Over the years it was in 5 different locations, one of which suffered a major fire in 1978. In her shop, she loved to help people choose patterns, material, threads, wool, notions, crafts and even sewing machines.

The family grew as Pat, Dan and Kathy married and had children. Marg and Bob welcomed 5 grandchildren and eventually a great grandchild. In later years, Marg and Bob would vacation in Florida during the winter months, enjoying the warm weather, the beaches, golf and learning to play deck shuffleboard with many new friends.

Eventually, Marg became a widow, but remained in their second home at 11 Wagosh Place until she was 85. She could often be found in her garden, tending her flowers, her rhubarb and her compost. She continued to enjoy going to exercise classes and attending seniors events and visiting with friends. She moved to Sarnia in 2014, to be closer to family, first residing at Fairwinds, then eventually, Meadowview and finally Afton Park Place, where she was lovingly cared for in her final years.

Margaret is survived by her 2 daughters, Pat Tait (Matt Mitro, Robert Tait), and Kathy Fenton, her two remaining sisters, Yvette Tiplady, and Diane Maitland (Roy), as well as 5 grandchildren, Crystal Shaughnessy, Daniel Shaughnessy, Geordie Tait, Melissa Dillon (Mark), Lise Fenton, great grandchild, Cameron Shaughnessy, and sisters in law, Sylvia Gouge and Maureen Shaughnessy. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by her husband Robert Shaughnessy, son Dan Shaughnessy (Joy), parents Paul and Eva Gouge, siblings Ronald (Pete) Gouge (Rhea), Victor Gouge, Gerald Gouge ( Millie), Armand Gouge (Aleta) , Loretta LaRiviere (Frank, Melvin Sorensen), Leo Gouge, Marie Jeanne Gouge, Arthur Gouge (Sylvia), Alfred Gouge and Albert Gouge ( Marlene), nieces  and nephews, Theresa Gouge, Steven Gouge, Martha Howard (Jim), and David Gouge.

Cremation has taken place.  A memorial mass will take place at St. Jude’s Catholic Church on July 2 10:00 am with burial at the Espanola Cemetery immediately after, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 39 from 12:30 -4:30 pm. Please join us.  As an expression of sympathy friends who wish may send memorial donations to  the Dementia Advocacy Canada https://dementiacanada.com/ or Espanola Helping Hand Food Bank https://foodbankespanola.com/to-give.   Arrangements entrusted to The McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 Christina St. N., Sarnia.  Messages of condolence & memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com.