Margaret (Peggy) Elizabeth Shannon Paul, 87, the beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt died Sunday, May 22, 2016, at Windy Hill Village, P.S.L., Philipsburg, where she had been receiving tender care.
Born in Munson May 23, 1928 to the late Albert T. and Madalyn (Eisenhauer) Shannon, she was one of seven children, including Dorothy Jean White, Thomas, Albert and Joseph Shannon, all now deceased. Surviving are two sisters, Rosemary Sotok of Holland, Mich. and Roberta Stewart of Vienna, Va.
She graduated from the Morris Township High School in the class of 1946, where she was valedictorian. After high school, she began her professional career with the federal government in Washington, D.C., and later worked for the Curtis-Wright Corp. in Quehanna.
In 1965, she began her tenure in the Industrial Engineering Department at Penn State University and eventually becoming administrative assistant to Dean Benjamin Niebel until her retirement.
On Aug. 26, 1948, at St. Agnes Parish in Morrisdale, she became Mrs. Ralph Paul, marrying that dashing boxer and Navy Gunnersmate, back from the Pacific Theatre, who was enrolled at Lock Haven University.
Together they shared nearly 43 years of marriage, owning and operating, for a short time, Philipsburg’s Parkway Market.
They raised a large, loving family of six children, delighting in their accomplishments, Cindy Pezalski and her husband Ray of Boalsburg; Mike Paul and his wife, Carol, formerly of Boalsburg and now of Yemassee, SC; Patty Wood and her husband, Mike of Lanse; Chris Hertlein and her husband, Tim of Frenchville; Jennifer Bennett of Pitman, NJ; and Shannon Paul and his wife, Dawn of Denver, Pa.
Also surviving are their 19 grandchildren, Carrie Pezalski Lamb, Dr. Tyler Pezalski and Caitlin Pezalski Dare, Ryan, Jared, Margo and Connor Paul; Philip, Nathan and Patrick Wood; Tim, Tom, Luke and Matt Hertlein and Suzy Hertlein Tubbs; Josh, Laura and Emily Bennett; and Cpt. Kurtis Paul. She is also survived by 26 great-grandchildren who were indeed great in her eyes.
She had a keen intellect but relished simple pleasures. She loved Sunday family cookouts, rousing games of Pinochle and long car-rides, especially with Ralph.
Her family teased that she liked to go to Maryland…..for lunch. She enjoyed morning walks at Black Moshannon State Park and endless games of Monopoly with her last grandchild, Connor, for whom she was caregiver for over a decade.
She was devoted to her professional career and most especially to her large extended family, including many nieces and nephews. She faced struggles and setbacks with tenacity and resilience and leaves behind a legacy of sweetness, mingled with more than a tinge of feisty Irish grit.
The funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Philipsburg, with the Rev. John M. Gibbons as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery, Morrisdale.
Friends will be received from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, Philipsburg. The rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Windy Hill Village, P.S.L., 100 Dogwood Dr., Philipsburg, PA 16866 or Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 400 S. Fourth St., Philipsburg, PA 16866.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Jeanne Beyer, volunteers from Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, and Windy Hill Village for their ongoing kindness and compassion.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook and share memories at beezerheathfh.com.