Obituary of Madonna Mary Shanahan (CARD OF THANKS)

“A mother’s love is the purest love you will ever know.”

The family of the late Madonna Mary Shanahan would like to express a sincere thank you to those who offered support and helped ease our sorrow caused by our dear mother’s passing.

We appreciated all expressions of sympathy; phone calls, letters, emails, text messages, food, cards, mass cards, flowers, visits, prayers and donations made to All Hallows Parish.

Thank you to the many people who assisted in her care; Dr. Rebecca Lethbridge, mom adored you. To Tami O’Neil, Betty Gardner and Mona Green, your care and kindness was a blessing. Ann Kane, your friendship was one of a kind. Dr. Manning, and the staff of WMRH 3B, your medical assistance was very much appreciated.

Special thanks to Father Terry for your hospital visit, and to Father Lee Lainey for conducting a very compassionate and personal Mass of Christian Burial, your kindness at the funeral home and cemetery did not go unnoticed.

To the beautiful choir of All Hallows Parish, organist Catherine Jordan and soloist Arlene d’Eon, everything was beautiful and just how she wanted it.

To the staff of Fillatre’s Funeral Home, thank you for your professionalism and detail of care.

May God bless each one of you!

The Shanahan Children and their families

Madonna Mary Shanahan was born to Francis and Susanna Foley of Peddles Lane, Humbermouth on August 7, 1929. She was the oldest girl in the family of 9 children. When she turned 16 she began working as a telephone switchboard operator at Newfoundland Telephone in Corner Brook. It was here where Madonna met “The Girls” – the ladies who were her colleagues for many years. Madonna could tell you several stories of her time as a telephone operator and most of them ended in fits of laughter. It was always suggested that she write a book – it most certainly would have been a best seller. Her quick wit and sense of humour was admirable. She worked at Newfoundland Telephone her entire life, retiring in 1989. By that time, switchboards were obsolete and Madonna was gifted the first switchboard she ever worked on, her switchboard.  Many children played on that switchboard in Madonna’s rec room pretending they were taking overseas calls from dignitaries and soldiers. That switchboard now resides in the “Corner Brook Museum of Archives”.  It was while she was an operator that she met Gerald Shanahan of Riverhead, Harbour Grace. Not long after, at the age of 19, they were wed. They resided their whole lives just up the lane from her family home in Humbermouth, on Fords Road where they raised 9 children. In 2007, Gerald passed away but Madonna stayed on Fords Road with her youngest daughter Tarragh and her family. She loved tending to her flower garden and her favorites were Peonies and Lillies.

Madonna loved camping with Jerry and would travel all over the island doing so. She would travel even to Nova Scotia, Ontario and other parts of Newfoundland when she could to visit her children. She always said her favorite trip was to Ireland in 2008. In her early years, Madonna was an avid knitter and would knit for her children and grandchildren everything from mitts and socks to Scandinavian sweaters. There’s sure to be several families that have her Christmas stockings hung during the festive season. She expressed her love by cooking and you could find her in the kitchen baking bread, making cabbage rolls, soups and stews or her very popular lassie buns. She could always be heard asking those she loved, “did you have enough, there’s lots there”.

She fiercely loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and would always say, “You love your children, but your grandchildren, that’s a whole different thing all together”. She was and always will be… the best mom & nanny. Her natural, genuine kindness will be terribly missed by all who knew her especially her children; Tarragh Shanahan (Cory), Dianne Hearn (Bob), Peg Shanahan (Robert), Susan Shanahan (Mike), Maureen Fleming, Danny (Georgina), Larry (Mary), Ronnie (Mildred), Frank (Carol); Grandchildren; Caradyn, Meteghan, Liam, Daniel, David, Michael, Kathleen, Mark, Melissa, Patrick, Stephen, Shawn, Eddy, Angela, Jerry and great grandchildren.

Left to mourn are her brothers Kevin and Frank, sisters Patricia, Mary and Alicia and their families, special friend Ann Kane. She was pre-deceased by her loving husband Gerald, infant daughter Mary, parents Frank and Susanna, brothers Tom, Ed, Josh and baby Frank.

Special thank you to Tammy O’Neil, Dr. Rebecca Lethbridge & Staff, Betty Gardner, Mona Green, Dr. Manning, Staff of WMRH 3B.

Friends may visit Fillatre’s Funeral Home, 4 St. Mark’s Avenue on Saturday 7-9 p.m. and Sunday 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 6 at 10:00 a.m. from All Hallows Parish, Humber Road with Father Lee Lainey officiating. Interment to follow at Mount Patricia Cemetery.

Flowers are graciously accepted and donations can be made in her honour to All Hallows Parish or a charity of one’s choice.

The funeral service will be livestreamed through the following link

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=ecbee519-b1f8-48f2-81f6-688998f3dafe