Maureen Elizabeth (Touher) Shanahan, 85, formerly of 11 Montague Street,
Turners Falls, MA, passed peacefully on the evening of Thursday, September 30,
2021 at her home at The Arbors of Greenfield following a period of declining
health.
Maureen was born on September 18, 1936 to Elizabeth (Verville) and John B.
Touher, the youngest of four children. Maureen attended the former Holy Trinity
Parochial School in Greenfield and was a graduate of Greenfield High School, in
the Class of 1954.
Shortly after her graduation, she accepted a position as a dental assistant in the
practice of the former Dr. Charron in Greenfield. Maureen met and fell in love with John William “Bill” Shanahan, whom
she married on August 8, 1959 in Holy Trinity Church of Greenfield. They resided for the greater part of their 51 years of
marriage at 11 Montague Street in Turners Falls, MA, where they raised their four children.
Maureen, the quintessential devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, was the
matriarch of the Shanahan household. She supported her husband’s efforts in
nurturing the growth of the family business, The Turners Falls Coal Company and
Shanahan Construction Supply. Caring for her home and family was a
great source of pride for Maureen. She was an accomplished cook, baker and
delighted her family, friends, and guests with her culinary prowess.
The Shanahan household was holiday central, with Maureen delighting in
entertaining her family and friends at each holiday occasion. She served as a
Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader for her children and made homemade
costumes for Halloween and school plays for her children and
grandchildren. She was referred to by her family as “Mrs. Fix It” as there was
nothing that Maureen couldn’t fix when needed. Her grandchildren called
her home “Camp Grammy” as spending overnights with her and Popa was like “going to camp”.
She was a communicant of the former St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church, now known as
Our Lady of Peace and member of the Catholic Women’s Council. She was a member and
volunteer of the Farren Memorial Guild of the former Farren Memorial Hospital in Turners Falls, MA.
Sadly, she was predeceased by her loving husband Bill on May 5, 2010 a few
months shy of what would have been their 51st wedding anniversary. Shortly
thereafter, Maureen moved to the Millhouse Apartments on Wells Street, in
Greenfield, MA, where she had many friends. In 2018 Maureen moved to The
Arbors of Greenfield enjoying social activities and the companionship of new friends.
She is lovingly remembered by her children: Katie Shanahan Murphy (Jim) and
their children Erin, Kelly and Colleen. John M. Shanahan (Karen) and children
Ryan, Michael and Kevin, Ryan Dietert and Rachael Sterns. Timothy Shanahan
(Lisa) and their children Emma, Holly and Kerry, Christopher Shanahan
(Tina) and their children Jack and Will, as well as great granddaughters Laine
Morrow and Maeve Grannemann. She was predeceased by her parents, her
husband Bill and by her three siblings.
In keeping with Maureen’s request for simplicity, visiting hours are omitted and
she will be cremated. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated in her
memory, on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 11:00 AM, at Our Lady of Peace
Church, 90 Seventh Street, Turners Falls, MA, with Rev. Stanley J. Aksamit,
Pastor, as the Celebrant. Rites of committal and interment will follow in St.
Mary’s Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her late husband Bill.
Maureen’s family will receive guests in the rear vestibule of the church from
10:00 AM until the time of the funeral liturgy. Flowers are respectfully asked to
be omitted. Expressions of one’s affection are preferred to Pioneer Valley
Hospice and Palliative Care, 329 Conway Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301.
The family would like to especially thank the staff of the Arbors of Greenfield for their kindness, care, and compassion for our mother throughout her stay.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Maureen E. Shanahan, please visit our floral store.