Mary Jo (Gardner) O'Shaughnessy

Mary Jo O'Shaughnessy, 89, passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, in the company of her lucky family.  She was born on April 8, 1926 to Joseph and Amanda Gardner in Forest Hills, New York.

She was a Registered Nurse graduate of the Nurses Cadet Corp and cared for the developmentally challenged in Staten Island, NY eventually as Director of Nursing. A lifelong learner, she obtained her Masters degree at age 62 and was a consultant for the State of New York. Her incredible memory could recount many details of her life and work career. In 1986 she retired, and she and Pat moved to Kent, Ohio.

She was an active member of Our Lady of Victory Parish serving on the Caring Commission and volunteering at area nursing homes well into her eighties. She shared her talents at OLV by prayerfully composing the petitions for Sunday liturgy. She was always hopeful that they would actually be attached with the email!

Mary had a keen mind and a kind heart. Her optimistic and generous nature was a delight and inspiration to all. Her selfless spirit always welcomed and nurtured others. She was a "Modern Woman" before her time, yet held and practiced traditional values. Meams created a legacy of love for which we will be forever grateful and determined to continue.  Those who knew and loved her realized her obituary could never be brief!

She is preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Patrick and children, Maureen Briskman and Pat O'Shaughnessy.

Mary  is survived by her adoring family; Lou Briskman, Hyunza Park, Cathy and Regis Duffy, Peggy Barone, Eileen and Alan Finn, Dan and Barb, John and Bev, Gene, Joe and Cindy; grandchildren, Al, Lisa (John), Chris (Chris), Erin (Tom), Matt (Jan), Macie, Brendan, Regis (Sarah), Evelyn (Jay), Kevin, Katie (Karl), Jonathan (Jill), Mike (Brittany), Megan (Tim), Ryan, Anthony, Josh, TJ, Sean, Allison (Richard), Daniel, Kasey, Kristen, Brandon, Andrew and Vincent; great grandchildren, Suzy, Jake, Joe, Zack, Santiago, Eli, Max, Nick, Alyssa, Vivian, Kellen, Amelia, Cameron and Mac; sisters, Kay Kenny and Dot Pagliarello; sister in law, Madeline Gillespie; many nieces and nephews, former exchange students and special friend Katie Fleming;

The family greatly appreciates all the care and concern of the physicians, nurses, and therapists at Summa and NEOCS.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Our Lady of Victory Church.

Visitation will be 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 24, 2016 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle).

Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:45 a.m. Monday, January 25, 2016 at Our Lady of Victory Church, 73 North Ave., Tallmadge with Rev. Michael Matusz officiating. Procession to form at the church.

Interment will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman.