Obituary of Barbara A. Shaughnessy

Barbara Clark Shaughnessy passed away gently in the comfort of her home on October 23, 2022, surrounded by her loving husband of 69 years and the family she endlessly poured her love and life into. Born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, she never lost the saltwater in her veins or her trademark accent. She passed her love for the ocean on to her family, as she showed us how to play in the waves, relax in the sand, and eat oysters with glee. She cared deeply for children while working at Eastbury School, fundraising for Child & Family Services, and eagerly volunteering as a leader for any and all of her own children’s many clubs and activities. Her energy and imagination was endless. She spent hours with her grandkids climbing trees, playing dress-up, and weaving personalized stories of mischievous mice. Always ready with a joke and an anecdote, Barbara was the life of every party. At 4’11”, her personality filled the room, taking any opportunity to dance and celebrate, the twinkle in her bright blue eyes teaching us to live with joy.

Barbara lived the last 9 years in Bolton, Connecticut, sharing a home with the love of her life, Phil, and her caring daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Nate Shippee. They, along with golfing buddies daughter Linda and son-in-law Juan Roman, and consistently supportive son David and daughter-in-law, Ann, will miss her dearly but will treasure her memory with each card game they play, apple pie they taste, or grandchild they spoil.

In addition, Barbara reluctantly leaves her grandchildren (and their wonderful spouses): Guinevere Hayes Guthrie, Alex Hayes, Nathan Shippee, Deanna Shippee Martin, Jacob Shippee, William Shaughnessy, and Maighread Shaughnessy; and her growing number of great-grandchildren: Jennings, Hayes, Everly, Easton, Delaney, Nathan IV, Ronan and Torin; as well as the countless other relatives and friends who knew and loved her.

Special thanks go to the wonderful care partners Ruth, Jill, Audrey, Lori, Tina, and the Vernon VNA hospice team led by Sharon who have been a source of support, comfort and strength through the year.

Family and friends may gather at John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 W. Center Street in Manchester, CT on Saturday, October 29, from 10 to 11 AM and the subsequent Mass of Christian Burial at 12 PM at St. Augustine’s Church, SS. Isidore and Maria Parish, 55 Hopewell Rd., South Glastonbury, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Barbara’s favorite charities: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P0 Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142, or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.