Emily Diclementine Shaughnessy

Visitation: Thursday, 5 to 8 PM

Services: Friday, 11 AM

Emily DiClementine Shaughnessy - Educator, Volunteer, Mother Emily D. Shaughnessy, 94, of Newburgh, Indiana, died April12 at Angel River Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Mrs. Shaughnessy was born in Rochester, NY, April 24, 1915. She was one of six children born to Rosa and Salvatore DiClementine, immigrants from Italy. As a child, Mrs. Shaughnessy lost her father in an industrial accident and helped her mother raise her siblings and care for her family during the Depression. As a young girl in elementary school, she accompanied her mother to citizenship classes and was instrumental in teaching her mother English and helping her to acquire US citizenship. As a teenager and student, Mrs. Shaughnessy worked in several jobs, including the first Wegman's store in Rochester, and saved her wages to be the first of her family to attend college. From 1932 to 1936, she attended Oswego State Teachers College, graduating with a Bachelor's degree and teaching Certificate in 1936. While attending Oswego, Mrs. Shaughnessy met her future husband, Edward J. Shaughnessy of Syracuse, NY. The couple was married in 1938 and in September, of 2009, celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in Newburgh, Indiana. Mr. Shaughnessy predeceased Mrs. Shaughnessy by five months and died in November, 2009. Mrs. Shaughnessy enjoyed a distinguished career in elementary teaching, with assignments throughout New York State, and later in Kingsport, Tennessee where she and Mr. Shaughnessy moved in 1964. Her work in New York State included positions in the New York City area, Delaware County, the Utica region and with the city of Rochester. Recognized many times for outstanding accomplishments and student achievement, Mrs. Shaughnessy was a reading specialist who authored books on remedial reading and related training techniques. She was also a recognized and sought-after tutor. As a volunteer in Tennessee and later in Northern Virginia, where she and Mr. Shaughnessy moved in 1988, Mrs. Shaughnessy assisted local schools, hospitals and churches. A lifetime Catholic Church member, she belonged to the Legion of Mary, volunteering in several capacities at St. Dominic's Church in Kingsport and Christ the Redeemer Church in Sterling, Virginia. She was also a hospital volunteer in Kingsport and Sterling for 30 years. In 2007, she and Mr. Shaughnessy moved to Newburgh. An accomplished gardener, Mrs. Shaughnessy was a member of several gardening societies. She and her husband also traveled extensively, including India, Europe, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States. A devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother, Mrs. Shaughnessy is survived by a daughter and son in law, Patricia and Patrick Harvey of Newburgh, two sons and daughters in law, Dr. Peter and Carol Shaughnessy of Denver, Colorado, and Daniel and Judith Shaughnessy of Purcellville, Virginia, two brothers, Peter DiClementine of Sacramento, California, and Anthony DiClementine of Rochester, New York, as well as eleven grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, April 16, 2010 with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 625 Frame Rd., Newburgh, IN. The Rev. Joseph Ziliak will officiate, entombment in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Mausoleum. Visitation 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 15, 2010 with a memorial service at 7:30 p.m. at Titzer Family Funeral Homes ~ Simpson Chapel, 510 W. Jennings St, Newburgh, IN (812) 853-8314. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John's Student Scholarship Endowment Fund at the above address for St. John's Church. Condolences may be made at www.titzerfuneralhomes.com