Mary F. Shannon, 90, of Somerville, formerly of Hyannis and Norwood, passed away peacefully at home, on Wed. Feb. 19, 2014.
Born on Nov. 23, 1923 in West Roxbury, she was the oldest of 8 children born to Edward and Mae Hanlon. She was the beloved wife of the late Lewis “Pat” Shannon for 66 years. She is survived by 8 children, Paul of Somerville and the late Lissa Onderdonk, Teddy of Norwood, Mary of Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Kathy of Cambridge, Maureen and her late husband Bob Wanders of Easton, Anne and her husband Mark O’Brien of Centerville, Richard of Dennis and Ellen of Quincy. Also survived by Kim Shannon and 7 grandchildren, Lewis, Christina, Shannon, Matthew, Michael, Mary, and John Paul. Mary had 5 great grandchildren, Kiera, Cordell, DeAndre, Kya and Lucas. In addition she is survived by a sister, Alice McCabe and 3 brothers, Tom, George and Jack Hanlon. She was previously deceased by loving sisters and brother, Ellen Hanlon, Joan Walsh and Eddy Hanlon.
Mary graduated from Girls Latin High School in 1942. She went on to work at John Hancock in Boston. At 18 years she attended a dance for soldiers where she met a young army Sargent Pat Shannon, who would change her life forever. They fell in love through their letters back and forth for 3 years. When the war ended they married and had 8 children. They were going for 9 so they would have their baseball team.
As a teenager Mary was a Red Sox fan like no other. Whenever the Sox were in town she would walk to Fenway Park from Girls Latin with her best friend “Dot” and root them on. Her heroes were Ted Williams, Joe Cronin, Bob Feller and Charlie Wagner.
Mary and Pat had a long and wonderful Marriage spanning 66 years. Together they were devote Catholics and shared the deepest of faith. She and Pat were wonderful examples of how to live a Christian life.
Mary was the best mother 8 children could ever hope for. She dedicated herself to her family. Throughout her life, everyone who had the honor of knowing her loved her for her gentle nature, compassion and huge heart.
We will all miss her dearly.
Funeral from the Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home 1803 Centre St. West Roxbury, on Saturday, March 1, at 9:00am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Holy Name Church at 10:00am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held in the Funeral home on Friday, Feb. 28 from 6:00 to 9:00pm. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. www.lawlerfuneralhome.com
Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home
617-323-5600