Item

Marguerite Shaughnessy

St. Croix Courier
Aug 25/1927
On Friday last a special train brought E. W. Beatty, President of the CPR, the Rt. Hon. MacKenzie King, Prime Minister; Ms. Munroe and Hon. Arthur Howard, who were entertained at lunch by Baroness and Hon. Marguerite Shaughnessy at Fort Tipperary.

St. Croix Courier
July 19/1934
GG Earl of Bessborough in town guest of Hon. Marguerite Shaughnessy. Until July 24. Countess Bessborough here past week.

Aug 5/1937
Shiretown Items
Golf Tourney—F.W. Thompson cup for women and Shaughnessy cups for Lady’s and Men’s Championships.

St. Croix Courier
Aug 13/1942
Shiretown Items
The Mercury Club
The following facts regarding the somewhat misunderstood Mercury Club have been obtained from the treasurer, A. Smith, and should dispel wrong impressions more or less prevalent about town in regard to this organization. The idea of the club originated with Hon. Marguerite Shaughnessy and Hon. Mrs. Redmond, and they were responsible for its organization. But although they did, and are still doing, much work in connection with the club, they are not running it nor are they financing it as has been generally supposed. The club is managed entirely by an executive committee of five persons of which Miss Shaughnessy and Mrs. Redmond are active members. Besides this committee there is a larger advisory board selected from representatives of all the churches, lodges and other social organizations, in the town. There is a house committee of seven ladies, each member taking charge for one day a week. They in turn select helpers. The member in charge for the day is responsible for the serving of breakfast, making beds, looking after the linen and a general clearing up. Two members of this committee are appointed to purchase food supplies. The club is financed by personal donations, public benefits and by making a small charge (at the beginning of $1.25 but now $1.00) to the men of the service who stay for bed and breakfast.
            Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings a transport bus brings men who are going to spend 48 hours at the Club, and also, if there is room, any others who wish to come for the evening only. On these nights a dance is held at the club free of charge. Girls are invited to attend, subject to the approval of the executive, and once invited are entitled to attend all dances run by the club. Games, such as table tennis, clock golf, darts, checkers, backgammon and chess are provided for the boys’ amusement. A writing room contains up-to-date magazines and books, radio, gramophone, and two pianos. Howard Pillow ahs placed his commodious motorboat at the disposal of these visiting boys, and every fine afternoon a party is taken for a sail down the bay. Other smaller boats are also available without cost for small trips and fishing parties. Twenty light-weight khaki suits for the boys to wear while visiting the club were donated by the T. Eaton Company. The boys pay a small charge for laundering the suits. All the laundry work of the club, which is considerable, is done at half-price by Mr. and Mrs. Hornsby, proprietors of the St. Andrews Laundry.
            The total cost of renovating the building was $730. The total expenditures to date are about $2100, and the total receipts about $2000, not including the amount raised at the recent Fair, which is given in detail in the following item. Of this amount $1243 has been received from the guests, there having been a over one thousand boys made happy at the club since it opened late last winter.
            The club has the approval of the commandant of the camp at Pennfield. He believes that if other towns in the county provided similar facilities for ht entertainment of the boys in the forces unpleasant incidents might be avoided. [murder of Bernice Connors?] As the selling of beer to the boys who visit the club is one of the features causing the most criticism, it is only fair to state the attitude of the management in the matter. They say that the great majority of the boys demand drinks and if something is not provided in a respectable way, afield is thus opened up for bootlegging. This has occurred in other communities in the county and trouble has resulted. No hard liquor is sold nor even allowed at the club, and beer is sold only in small bottles; each man is limited ot three bottles and it must be consumed in the main room. It cannot be taken upstairs nor off the premises. The beer is sold at cost.
            Altogether it would seem that the Mercury Club, the only organization of its kind in Canada, is not only a fine thing for these hundreds of boys who are thousands of mils away from their homes, which perhaps many of them will never see again, but also for the town, and townspeople, and the small number of men and a great number of women who have given so generously of their time and labour to make and to keep it a success, are deserving of much greater credit than has so far been given them by the general public.

St. Croix Courier
Sept 2/1948
“Caddy” Norris fatally injured at St. Andrews.
Children’s Friend Paid Striking Tribute at Largest Funeral in Years.
. . . (Tributes to “Caddy” Norris page 4 by Marguerite Shaughnessy and “A Friend.”)
The day broke beneath a misty mid-summer sun. there was a stillness in the air and even the cry of the gulls seemed hushed. Then I remembered. This was the children’s day of mourning, the day they would always remember for a few years with a sense of loss and sadness, but later in their lives with pride and gratitude that they had shared and been part of a great lesson in spiritual values.
            “Caddy” is dead. Who was he? To a stranger in town he would probably be just the “colored boy” who drove a team of old horses hitched to an old cart, doing all the hundred and one chores that always need doing in a small town.
            But to the children he was a most glamorous and beloved friend. His old cart seldom passed by without three or four youngsters sitting up behind him “learning to drive,” and no day was complete for them without a “ride with Caddy.”
            Today, at his funeral the little church was filled with men and women from all walks of life, who had come to pay their last tribute to a good, respected friend. But the greatest tribute of all was from the children, who all morning had gathered flowers and with loving little hands had made a beautiful white cross for Caddy.
            And so as the day ended beneath a misty mid-Summer sun, with a stillness in the air, a great lesson in spiritual values entered our hearts and we could truthfully say, “His ways are past finding out.”—Marguerite Shaughnessy

St. Croix Courier
March 17/1949
Barbara Ann Scott warmly welcomed to St. Andrews. Photo. Nice pose. 1948 World Champ. Marguerite Shaughnessy Hostess.

St. Croix Courier
March 24/1949
Official Welcome
Reception
Through the kindess, thoughtfulness and generosity of the Hon. Marguerite Shaughnessy, one hundred and fifty townspeople and a few from elsewhere were invited to Fort Tipperary afer Thursday evening’s performance to be presentd to Lieutenant-Governor McLaren and Miss Barbara Ann Scott. Delicious refreshments were served and two hours of social fellowship enjoyed. Miss Scott is just as lovely off the ice as onit and her charming personality, no doubt has contributed as greatly to her exceptional popularity as has her figure skating ability. I had the pleasure and the honor of a few minutes personal chat with her. I wanted to herar from her own lips just why we had been so fortunate in getting her to come here. She said: “When I received the invitation I was delighted. I have friends in Ottawa who have visted St. Andrws in he summer. They gave me such a glowing picture of its beauties and attractions that I welcomed this aopportunity to come for a little visit. I have enjoyed my  stay immensely and Miss Shaughnessy has been just wondeful. I hope to come again this summer and bring my golf clubs.” When I told this to my friend Arnold Wilson, manager of the Bank of Nova Scotia here, he said he would immediately apply for the chance to caddy for her.

St. Croix Courier
March 24, 1949
Shiretown Items
The Great Day Arrives
Never in the life-time of the oldest inhabitant ahs ther ebeen an event which so stirred the hearts of our citizens, an event awaited with such eager anticipation. The cares and duties of the work-a-day world were forgotten and neglected. Flags and bunting, signs of welcoem and string sof colored lights were erected. The sole topic of conversation was the coming of Barbar Ann. The day broke learnd cold, the 16th day of March, 1949—a day that will be forever marked in bold red capital letters in the annals of the little town of St. Andrews. Long ebfore the arrival of the train crowds began to gather at the depot. What mattered it that fierce, chill wind blew from the North? The sun shone brightly overhead in a clear and cloudless sky and the warmth and glow within our hearts made our bodies impervious to tteh cold.

His Greatest Moment
As I watched W. C. O’Neill, “Bill” to his many friends, standing there on the platform with the other members of the reception committee I thought of what a thrill the occasion must be to him! He is the boy who really put it over. When he proposed the idea, about a year ago, it was scoffed at by some, derided by others and deemed impossible by most of us. But his unfailing courage and optimism, which stood the test of the burning of our first Arean in 1939, and whose leadership at that time directed us in the erection of a better building, were not be be denied. Much praise is due to all, who worked day and night to make this occasion the grand success it was but primarily and chiefly the credit must to the “Bill.”
           
“That She Blows”
When the train blew for the station, though nearly a mile away, a cheer went up from the waiting crowd. The pent-up thoughts of the joys to come could no longer be restrained. More and greater cheers sounded when she hove in sight around the bend. We seemed to think this great inanimate but life-like thing could hear our voices and transmit to Barbar Ann our cheers of welcome. With a-hissing of steam and a screeching of brakes the rain ground to a stop. The reception committee, headed by Mayor and Mrs. H. B. Hachey and including Hon. Marguerite Shaughnessy, hostess to Barbar Anna nd her mother, Mr.s Clyde Scott, during their visit, henry O. McQuoid, president of the Arena Assocation; and Mrs. McQuoid, Principal F. T. Atakinson of Prince Arthur School, and Mrs. Atkinson and W. C. O’Neill, maanger of the Areans, boarded the private car provided for the distinguuished visitors from McAdam Junction down. In a fe wmoments they re-appeared, followed by Barbar Ann and her mother. As Miss Scott paused on the car steps to have photos snapped and to wave to the surrounding throng a deafenign cheer arose. Then the daint little queen of th eice, honey-blonde hair reflecting the sunshine and eyes of sapphire blue glancing at everhone int urn, tripped down the patform waving in all directions and throwing kisses to the two hundred school children lined up as a guard of honor. She entered flag-bedecked car, and still smiling and waving her hand, was driven to her temporary home at Fort Tipperary.

St. Croix Courier
March 3/1949
Viscount Alexander, Gov. General of Canada, coming to St. Andrews for visit. To stay at Fort Tipperary, Marguerite Shaughnessy will take Seeley Cottage for duration: first three weeks of August.

St. Croix Courier
Aug 3/1950
Marguerite Shaughnessy spearheads campaign to raise 15,000 towards 150,000 solicitation on behalf of Charlotte County Hospital. R. M. Redmond Chairman of Special Names Committee

St. Croix Courier
Aug 31/1950
SA leading in Hospital Fund Campaign.
“Mr. Ganong credited the leadership of the general chairman, the Hon. Marguerite Shaughnessy, and the generous attitude of summer residents for the striking response to the hospital campaign.” (To date almost 50,000.00)

St. Croix Courier
May 22/1958
Hon. M. K. Shaughnessy Passes in St. Andrews.
Funeral services were conducted here today for Hon. Marguerite Kathleen Shaughnessy, a resident of St. Andrews since the early 1940’s whose many contributions to the welfare of the community and county including a leading role in raising funds with which to build Charlotte County Hospital.
            Marguerite Shaughnessy, daughter of a former president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, died Thursday at her home here—Fort Tipperary—after a lengthy period of failing health. At the forefront of many community endeavours, Miss Shaughnessy took a leading role in a campaign to raise funds in the St. Andrews district when the county hospital was being planned. She had retained a strong interest in the progress of the ? and had continued, insofar as her health permitted, to continue efforts on its behalf.
            Marguerite Shaughnessy was a daughter of the late Thomas George, Baron Shaughnessy, who was CPR president from 1898 to 1916. She was born in Montreal and lived there in her early years, coming her in the 1940’s to make her home at the family’s country estate.
            Funeral rites were conducted at the Church of St. Andrews in which she was a member. Burial was in the Catholic cemetery here. In a tribute to Ms. Shaughnessy Mayor W. Leigh Williamson said: Marguerite Shaughnessy was always at the forefront of any endeavour that was vital to the community and gave generously of her time and her funds to all worthy causes.
            She willingly served on committees where she showed great expertise and ability. During the Second World War she was instrumental in organizing the Mercury Club, a service club for the men of the Air Force stationed at Pennfield.
            Ms. Shaughnessy’s passing is a loss to SA, of which the other members of her family have long been such a real part. Before her deteriorating health curtailed her efforts, Miss Shaughnessy was actively engaged in the work of various organizations. Among them were the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire, Canadian Red Cross Society, Women’s Canadian Club and the Society for the Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals. She was actively engaged in patriotic work during both world wars. Atone time she was a keen golfer and sportswoman.
            Without fail, she opened the beautiful grounds of her home whenever the occasion arose for Brownie revels and Girl Guide rallies for the entire Passamaquoddy district, as well as for other local entertainments.
            Miss Shaughnessy is survived by two sisters, Hon. Mrs. Rene M. Redmond of St. Andrews and Hon. Mrs. Wyndham Beauclerk of Montreal, as well as a number of nephews and nieces.
            During her residence here she was hostess to many distinguished guests, including all the governors-general of her time, and counted Lord Beaverbrook among her friends.
            The funeral mass was conduced by Rev. Richard J. Coughlan, pastor of the Church of SA, Rev. C. J. Mersereau of St. George was in the sanctuary.      
            Honorary bearers were Lord Shaughnessy, Thomas Shaughnessy, Thomas Beauclerk, Norman g. Talbot Mais, all of Montreal, and David Walker of St. Andrews.
            Bearers were Henry O. McQuoid, Melvin A. Dougherty, Dewitt Lister, Percy Marshall, Milton Townsend and William C. O’Neill, all of St. Andrews.
            As the eldest daughter of Baron Shaughnessy, Miss Shaughnessy was automatically granted the title of honorable when she reached the age of 21.