Mary Catherine Shaughnessy

1989 - 2023

Mary Catherine (MC) Shaughnessy

MC died unexpectedly this month at her home in southern California. She was 34 years old. Survivors include her loving and devoted parents, Edward and Tricia Shaughnessy, and numerous fond aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Mary and Ed Shaughnessy and Marilyn and Walter Davis.

MC was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Texas at Austin and spent time living and working in Austin and San Marcos following graduation. MC had a bright, inquisitive mind and a wide range of interests. Her grandmother Mary was fond of describing MC's willingness, at quite a young age, to pepper a tour guide at the LBJ Ranch with questions about the life and times of the late president. That wide-ranging curiosity continued throughout her life.

MC later moved from Austin to southern California, where she spent the rest of her life. MC loved to explore California. She loved its art museums and public gardens, but also its rugged and beautiful outdoors. She was deeply committed to social justice and environmental protection. Her creativity, love of beauty and interest in sustainability led her to her chosen career in the kitchens of some of California's excellent restaurants. She relished introducing family and friends to the California restaurant scene and sharing her own cooking.

MC was a seeker during her years in California. Her search for spiritual identity led her to spend several months living and working at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in rural California. Her search for gender identity led her, with the help and support of friends in the Los Angeles LGBTQIA+ community, to the process of transition.

MC was a sweet soul. She deeply loved her family and friends and was deeply loved in return. As her mother said of her death, "I have a hole in my heart". She could have been speaking for any one of many people who loved her.

A memorial service for MC will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, over Thanksgiving weekend later this year. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be sent to the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Information about making donations to the Center can be found at https://donate.lalgbtcenter.org/donations/mcmemorial/

Mary Catherine Shaughnessy