Rita J. Shaughnessy

September 14, 2024, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Rita Joyce Shaughnessy, age 92, peacefully left Earth to join her family in Heaven.

    Rita was born November 12, 1931, to Thomas “Rusty” and Ruth Shaughnessy in Galesburg, Illinois. She shared her parents with her brother, John. Rita and John lived on and off together many times and Rita became his caretaker at the end of his time on Earth.                 

Rita was the glue that held this family together. She may have been small, but she was mighty. She was always there to give us guidance, take us into her home, and give us her love no matter what. She never judged, she just loved us. Her grandchildren, at one time or another, would live with her and share good and bad times. She would never close her door to her family. Family meant more to her than anything else. She was able to meet her great-great-grandson Elliot, and she was so proud to have five generations with her at one time. Her family was her life.

Her faith in God was very strong- it never wavered. To the end, she had her rosary with her.

She wanted to do the Irish jig one more time before she left this Earth, and we have no doubt she was doing it all the way to heaven with a smile on her face and singing.

Her passing has left a huge void in our lives that can never be filled- we will, however, always have our many memories of her.

Rita loved to sew, sing, dance, make moonshine, bake, be with family, and win at bingo. She loved her friends and tablemates Lola and Mary. She loved her cats Tigger and Dog Gone It.

More than anything she loved her daughter, Marie, and grandchildren, Raymond, Molly, Luke, and Elizabeth. She was their beloved mom and grandma who was there anytime they needed her.

She will be missed every single minute, every single day. We receive comfort in knowing that she is with her Grandson Luke, who took her by the hand to heaven, her mother, father, and brother among other family members.

She leaves behind her daughter Marie, Grandson Raymond, Granddaughters Molly and Elizabeth, twelve great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Another Angel has her wings.

A Visitation will be held Friday, September 27th from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at St. Charles Catholic Church, 313 Circle Dr., Hartland, WI, followed by a Mass at 11:00 AM.