Suzanne MCCULLOUGH

SHANNON, Suzanne (nee McCullough) August 20, 1929 - March 11, 2008 Suzanne Shannon, beloved wife of the Honourable Mr. Melvin Earl Shannon of Calgary, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 11, 2008, after a lengthy struggle with dementia at the age of 78 years. Suzanne Shannon was born in Calgary on August 20, 1929. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1947. A young woman with her father's entrepreneurial flair, she owned The Top Notch coffee shop with her friend Besse Emms. She was famous for her flapper pie. Suzanne met Mel Shannon in 1951 while they were members of the Twentieth Century Club and they were married on June 24, 1952. Shortly thereafter, she sold her share of the business to focus on raising her family. Suzanne was a tremendous mother to her six children. Her capacity for love, patience, and giving will remain with us always. She was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church and loved her faith. The brilliant light that shone from her personified that. One always knew when Suzanne was present, as her sparkle filled the room with laughter and life. She had a warm and gracious heart, and at a moment's notice, would help anyone. In the 1970's, Suzanne volunteered to run the kitchen at St. Martin de Porres Junior High School, where teachers and students alike loved her twenty-five-cent burgers. She was a talented piano player and we all loved to hear her play "The Darktown Strutters' Ball" and watch as she and Mel enjoyed another sing-along. Suzanne's eye for business rose again when she had fun buying and selling collector cars and developing lots in up-and-coming neighbourhoods. She loved to play bridge with her friends and enjoy her favourite soft, vanilla ice cream. Suzanne loved to travel to Portland, OR and Spokane, WA to visit relatives and go shopping. She was a sports fan who enjoyed watching the World Series, the Grey Cup, and the NHL hockey playoffs. Suzanne had a deep and special connection with her mother, Dorothea McCullough, whom she looked after for the last six years of her life. Suzanne will be greatly missed by her devoted husband, Mel; her brother and sister-in-law, Ernie and Sue McCullough; her sister Barbara McCullough; her children, Sarah Ann Shannon (Terry Perkin), Mel Andrew Shannon, Daniel Howard (Patricia Marie) Shannon, Kathleen Shannon (Henry Henault), Stephen Michael (Valerie Colleen) Shannon, and Ann Shannon; her grandchildren, Patrick, Suzanne, James, and Christopher Perkin, Kelly, Cory, and Tara Shannon, Samuel Henault and Brett and Reece Pardell. Suzanne was predeceased by her sister, Noreen Ayer and her brother, Danny McCullough. You are so loved. We are so grateful. Flights of angels, Mom. Flights of angels! Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY'S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) today, Monday, March 17, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1307 - 14 Street S.W.) on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery (1 Street and 32 Avenue S.W.). Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com . If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Suzanne's honour may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, Suite 201, 222 - 58 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2S3 (Telephone 403-290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com ). The family thanks Irene Cadiente for the wonderful, gentle, loving care that she provided. The family thanks the members of the staff at the Beverly Centre for their kindness and attention. In living memory of Suzanne Shannon, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: 403-243-8200. Published in the Calgary Herald from 3/13/2008 - 3/17/2008