Margaret Helen Convery O’Shea

July 21, 1917 – January 12, 2012

   Margaret Helen Convery was the first of nine children born in1917 to Helen Marguerite Elliott and Thomas Joseph “Joe” Convery in Brantford, Ontario Canada.

   Margaret graduated with a nursing degree from Brantford General Hospital in 1939. She married Cornelius “Neal” Frances O’Shea from Augusta, Georgia in 1942. They settled in Detroit, Michigan and retired in Asheville, North Carolina.

   Margaret and Neal had seven children. She always looked ahead to ensure that they all were on the right path, and received a good education. Margaret was a good organizer and planner, and caring practical listener Margaret consistently reached out to the poor and the underdog. After her children were grown, she returned to nursing at Sinai Hospital in Detroit. She volunteered at a community center for mentally challenged adults. Both Margaret and Neal joined Focus Hope, and worked for peace and Justice, serving coffee to Martin Luther King, and providing sandwiches to the prisoners on work release programs.

   After retiring to North Carolina, Margaret worked tirelessly supporting orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa.  She went out of her way to be caring to people of all faiths, backgrounds or situations.  In 2005 Margaret suffered a slight stroke.  She relocated to The I.H.M. Health Care Center in Monroe.  Joseph “Joe” Froslie of Royal Oak, Michigan, a family childhood friend, went to visit Margaret frequently, just as he visited the O’Shea household in Detroit as a child.  Prof. Silvia Ruelas Hurtado of Morelia, Mexico would visit Margaret often as well.  Margaret and her children love Joe and Silvia as family members. 

   Margaret is survived by her children, Sr. Margaret O’Shea, IHM; Timothy (Judith) O’Shea of Atlanta, GA; Catherine (David) O’Shea Gruette of Center Barnstead, New Hampshire; Kevin (Pat Siuta) O’Shea of Marietta, GA; Terrence (Debby) O’Shea of Acworth, GA; two sisters, Florence Fanos of Novi, Michigan and Joan Decker of Ft. Collins, Colorado; thirteen grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and two daughters-in-law, Karen O’Shea of Grosse Point Woods and Jill O’Shea of St. Louis, Missouri.

   Margaret was preceded in death by her children, James J. O’Shea and Thomas O’Shea.

   In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 610 W. Elm Ave, Monroe, Michigan 48162.

   Online condolences may be sent through www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com.