SHAUGHNESSY, Rita Cecelia (née Sullivan)

(Longtime Member of CWL, St. Anne Women's Group, Birthright and Life Member of the Peterborough Canadian Irish Club).

Peacefully at Fairhaven on Sunday, December 25, 2022, in her 98th year. Rita, beloved wife of John Francis (d. 1996) for 52 years. Loving mother of Daniel, Timothy (Hannah), Patrick (Mary Ellen Kot), Louise (Yves LeBouthillier), John (Rosemary) and Andrew (Kathy). Predeceased by daughter Janice Benson (late Gale), son Matthew and daughter-in-law Barbara Shaughnessy. Dear grandmother of Tim, Sheila Pardy (Dave), Connie (Craig Savage), Kelly Harris (Tyler), Tara (Jason Robertson), Ted, Casey (Suzanne), Patti (Bill Coleman), T.J., Aaron (Karen Hodgson), Norah (Sean Mitchell), Brendan, Maude (Boris Proulx), Samuel, Aedan, Ciara (Mikie O'Shea), Liam, Meghan Miller (Derek), Loretta Heise (Ryan). Dear great grandmother of Darren, Selina, Sarah, Cain, Parker, Thomas, Sophie, Jack, Ben, Ryan, Clayton, Emily, Kamryn, Lauren, Emma Rita, Avery, Eliza and Flora Cecilia. Dear great great grandmother of Kye. Also missed by sisters-in-law Marion Sullivan, Marjorie, Marie, Darlene and Margaret Shaughnessy and brother-in-law Terry Shaughnessy. Dear aunt of many nieces and nephews and their families. Predeceased by her parents John Sullivan and Regina Doherty, sisters Mary Simmons (Bud), Marguerite Brioux (Tom), Regina Fleming (Ken), Verna Shaughnessy (Patrick) and brothers Francis, Jack (Teresa), Bill (Patricia), and George. Predeceased by brothers-in-law Bill (Mary), Jim (Alberta), Justin (Estelle), Reg (Mary), Harry, Tom, Paul, Clare and sister-in-law Helen Muldowney (John). Special thanks to the staff of Westview 2 at Fairhaven for the dignity, respect and love shown to Rita and the family.

Visitation at DUFFUS FUNERAL HOME, 431 George Street South from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Funeral Mass at IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 386 Rogers Street, Peterborough on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.  Reverend Damian Smullen officiating. (For those who are unable to attend, the mass will be livestreamed on the Duffus Funeral Home Facebook page). Interment at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Douro. In memory of Rita, donations to Fairhaven L.T.C. Home, the Alzheimer Society or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at www.duffusfuneralhome.com Rita was an elegant, hard-working, dancing, card-playing force. Her tap shoes will be hard to fill. "Dance as if no one were watching, sing as if no one were listening, and live every day as if it were your last."