Carolyn S. (Shanks) Shannon, age 86, a longtime resident of Winchester, passed away on December 7, 2025. She was the beloved wife for 25 years of Robert J. Shannon, until his death in 2000.
Born in Buffalo, New York, Carolyn was the daughter of the late Donald L. and Sue (Bailey) Shanks. She was raised and educated in Abington, MA where she was a 3-sport athlete (basketball, field hockey and softball) and valedictorian of her graduating class at Abington High School. She attended Wells College in Aurora, NY on a full academic scholarship.
Carolyn spent the majority of her career working in research at Tufts New England Medical Center. In her spare time, she enjoyed world travel, puzzles, crossword puzzles and watching New England sports. Known for her well-rounded intellect, she also enjoyed art and literature and engaging conversations on such.
Carolyn is lovingly survived by her sons: William J. Shannon and his wife Melissa, and Mark D. Shannon and his fiancé Wanida Bunchan, both of Winchester. She was the devoted grandmother of Brooke, Ashley and Robert Shannon, Tosh and Isis Shannon. She was also the dear sister of Nancy Corbett of Stoughton, MA and is further survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather for a Memorial Visitation at the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Monday, December 15, from 11AM -1PM. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
Words from a family member:
The life of my dear mother was magnificent. She was admired, respected and loved beyond measure. One could write a novel about how wonderful of a wife, sister, grandmother, aunt, friend and mother she was, my hero now and evermore. She was elegant without being aloof, intelligent without being pretentious, humble without demonstrating any false sense of humility; and most of all, she was kind to everyone. Never judging, always taking people for who they were. She was the perfect role model without ever being overbearing.
Moreover, her accomplishments were so widely varied that one could be overwhelmed by their gravity. She was the valedictorian of her Abington high school class. As well as being a top athlete in field hockey, softball and basketball, which was her favorite. From there she received a full scholarship to Wells College and then onto an esteemed career at Tufts New England Medical Center. Then of course she met her price, the most caring husband and father one could ask for; building a beautiful life with her family.
People as remarkable as my dear mother are quite rare. I honestly believe that every single person who was lucky enough to have been in her orbit was blessed. As it were, I must say that her life even up until the end was inspiring. She was always up for anything and everything, which speaks to her beautifully if not perpetually open mind. My dear mother was 86 years of age and walking nearly a mile a day. Not once did she refuse an outing; be it to the city, sea or countryside. She woke up every day with a positive mindset and to spend time with her was to live within absolute radiance. To put it in the simplest of terms, she was grace personified.
To that end, time is the most valuable currency we have with our loved ones. And without regret I consider myself truly blessed to know that every moment spent with my dearest mother was cherished, my hero now and evermore. ~ Mark Shannon