Kildimo and Matlock, Derbyshire, England.
Margaret (Peggy) O’Shaughnessy was one of ten children born to William and Mary in Bolane, Kildimo, Co. Limerick. She often noted that she was also the last of that family to survive. Her baptism took place in the old church in what is now ‘Old Kildimo’. Following her education in the old two-storey school in Kildimo, now the curtain and fabric centre, she was influenced by a neighbouring Nun, Sister Augustine Maume of Bolane House, to enter the Presentation Order in their Novitiate in South Kirkby, Yorkshire in March, 1938. Following her Final Profession in 1944, she spent her entire religious life between the convents of Castleconnell, Co. Limerick and Matlock, Derbyshire, where in this latter house she spent the major part of her seventy years. In her two assignments, she left a mark on all who knew her by her simple dedication to duty, which was notable for the hospitality she extended to all who came her way. The presence at her funeral of so many of these persons was a tribute to this kindness and generosity.
As was customary in her early years in the convent, holidays home were not permitted and ‘Auntie Peggy’ (as she was known to family and friends), made her first visit home in 1948 when she stayed with her Aunt, Margaret O’Shaughnessy in Pallaskenry. Under the more relaxed rules of recent years, she enjoyed annual visits home to her brother Jack and his wife Margaret, to Ballynacarriga. During these holidays she showed her interest in her family and friends by her presence at all their family celebrations. A celebration in which she made a particular impact was the Golden Jubilee of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire from Chatsworth House near Matlock. In celebration of their fifty years together, they had issued an invitation to other Derbyshire couples to share in their celebration. The Duchess was a regular visitor to the Convent as a member of a Charitable Board and so the nuns thought it appropriate to suggest the addition of Sr. Brigid to the honours list as she was marking her fifty years dedicated to the Church. Her participation in the Champagne Garden Party in Chatsworth caught the attention of the major news and T.V. networks in England which featured her at the time. The Duke and Duchess would later reciprocate the invitation by attending the Jubilee celebrations in Matlock Convent. ‘Peggy’ was able to take her final holiday at home for her ninetieth birthday in August, 2010, which culminated with a party for family and friends at ‘De Bucket’. Her final birthday in 2011 was spent in Chesterfield Royal Hospital, where she endeared herself to all the staff. Her visitors on this occasion noted her good spirits and her sharpness of mind in continuing her daily battle with the ‘Mail’ crossword. Such good spirit gave hope of a return to her convent, but this was not to be as she took a turn for the worst and departed this life as she had lived it, in peace and dignity on the morning of August 13, just days following her birthday. Her funeral took place following Mass in the convent chapel on August 26, which was celebrated by Fr. Gerard, SDB, her nephew and by the convent chaplains Fathers Trevor and Michael and the Parish Priest of Matlock, Fr. Bernard. Her final obsequies were marked by the joy and celebration of a life well spent and the short journey to the convent cemetery was conducted by her nephews Gerard and Billy and nieces Phyllis, Mary, Margaret, Noreen, Patsy, Annette, Peg and Anne, her grandnephews and extended family members. In this final resting place overlooking the town of Matlock, she joins her former sisters who have gone before her, the majority of whom were also her compatriots who have given their lives following the call of Nano Nagle, the Cork foundress of the Presentation Sisters.
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