Elsie ‘Margaret’ Mcshee Petty

In loving memory and with great sadness in our hearts, we announce the passing of our Mother, Elsie Margaret McShee Petty, (known as Margaret) age 90.

Our mother Margaret was born to parents William & Margaret Halligan McShee (both from County Mayo, Ireland) on 29 Jul 1933 in Addingham, near Ilkley, West Yorkshire, England. She grew up in a lovely family house in Parkinson Fold, Addingham with her sisters Kathleen, Sheila and brother Patrick. Their father William McShee passed away in 1937 aged only 30 leaving their mother Margaret to look after 4 small children. Sadly, their mother Margaret was also expecting another baby (Edith) who also passed away age 4 days, just months after their father passed. Margaret took her children and moved to Ilkley, West Yorkshire and worked very hard during war times to give them everything they needed and they had many happy family times growing up together despite the sadness they all had endured.

Our mother met our father John Bryan Petty in 1951 and they were married in Ilkley in December 1954 and they had 5 children, Caroline, Nicholas, Sarah, Simon and Josephine. In 1966 they all emigrated to Augusta, Georgia USA with our fathers work career, then moving to Greensboro, North Carolina, then Chester Virginia.
While living in Virginia, Margaret worked for Virginia Housing Development Authority as a receptionist. She was referred to by all as the "Voice of Virginia Housing" due to her lovely English accent. Margaret would fondly recall the English Tea Going Away Party that the staff threw in her honor when she moved to Greensboro. When our father passed away in 2017, our mother remained in Greensboro North Carolina.

Margaret's battle with Alzheimer's Dementia began in 2019 which led to a move to Chester, Virginia to live with our sister Sarah. Here she was lovingly cared for by Sarah with the help, kindness and support of Sarah's family and the Bon Secours Home Hospice Team until her peaceful and dignified passing on 22 April 2024 at Sarah's home in Chester, Virginia.


Our mother Margaret is survived by her children, Caroline Louise Abrahams, Nicholas Michael Petty, Sarah Catherine Eaton (Kevin), Simon John Petty & Josephine Claire Stephenson (Jerry). Grandchildren, Megan Abrahams, Nicholas & Sean Petty, Zachary, Logan & Nathan Eaton, Emily, Camryn & Sarah Allen and great grandson Garrett Eaton

Margaret is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years John Bryan Petty, her parents William & Margaret McShee, her brother Patrick McShee, sisters Kathleen Horsman, Sheila Hynard & Edith McShee, and her daughter in law Barbara Jean Petty.

Illness took away many precious memories from our mother but it never stole her Irish 'McShee' spirit and she remained strong and battled to the very end.

Rest in Peace Elsie Margaret McShee Petty

In Lieu of flowers donations may be made in Margaret's honor to Bon Secours Mercy Health Hospice at https://communityhospicehouse.com/support/