Sharon Marie Shannon passed peacefully in the care of the wonderful staff at Avamere Assisted Living on April 29, 2025 after a day of being surrounded by numerous family members and friends.
She was born on Sept. 15, 1952 in Portland to Robert J. Shannon and Georgette Marie Eberly Shannon.
When she was a toddler, her family moved to Pendleton and the family grew to six children. In 1959 her family moved to John Day, where two more children were added to the family. As both parents were now working full time, Sharon was often called on to perform many child-rearing duties for her seven siblings, who have always loved her and were grateful for her efforts.
Sharon attended Grant Union High School and excelled in her advanced level classes and extracurricular clubs, in line for her senior year to be quite memorable. However, the family moved to Hermiston in 1969 and Sharon graduated with the honor of valedictorian from Hermiston High School in 1970.
Sharon put herself through school attending Marylhurst College for Women, located near Portland, while living with her paternal grandparents and much-loved aunt, Sally. A block away from their home, at the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, also known as The Grotto, Sharon worked as the elevator operator. She met a few famous people visiting the shrine and she loved the work.
After graduation, she completed her student teaching requirement at Rex Putnam High School in Portland and at that time decided to take a desirable teaching position at La Grande High School. Sharon moved to La Grande and settled in for the long haul. She taught the higher level math courses, helped with Girl’s League, and turned out to have a knack for fundraising. She put those amazing skills to work serving the Oregon Education Association and as a
much-desired delegate to numerous National Education Association conferences and conventions all over the country. Concerned for the welfare of all students, Sharon served on the state level board of the Teachers Standards and Practices Committee. As busy as she was, Sharon went on to earn her master’s degree in education at Portland State University and taught college level courses for Eastern Oregon University, offering online courses as well. Her teaching awards are too numerous to list here.
Quite literally, over her 32 years of teaching, Sharon inspired thousands of students to continue on, meeting the challenges of learning complicated mathematical concepts. She had a vast supply of manipulative, hands-on tools and a gift for using those tools to make math click for her students. Many of her students went on to college and came home during breaks begging her to tutor them.
After she retired from teaching, she made the decision to move back to Hermiston to be closer to her family. Not completely content with retirement, she started tutoring students in their homes and also at her new parish, Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, during Youth Group meetings.
Sharon loved traveling. She visited her brother in Germany, stopping to see sights in London on the way. An American Revolution fan, she stomped on King George’s grave when no one was looking. She was a huge Disney fan, taking multiple vacations to the parks in California and Florida, often inviting family members to accompany her. Sharon loved reading and donated countless books to the library that were in pristine condition. She also loved shopping and buying gifts for family and friends. When she could no longer manage buying online she scaled down to keeping a large candy bowl filled with “the good stuff” by her apartment door at Avamere with instructions for anyone who came in to help themselves.
A heartfelt, loving, grateful thank you for the excellent care given to Sharon by the staff at Avamere in Hermiston. She loved all of you; you were so patient.
And thank you to Vange John Memorial Hospice staff who stepped in at the end and supported Sharon’s choices with gentle compassion. Thank you also to Fr. Maxwell and Cheryl for bringing Jesus and the sacraments to her after she could no longer attend Mass.
Sharon is survived by her brother, Robert (Terry) Shannon, McNary; sister, Rosie (Mike) Marcum, Hermiston; sister, Susan (Jerry) Callahan, Kennewick, Wash.; sister, Kathleen (Larry) Moore, Hermiston; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Georgette Shannon; identical twin brothers, Mike (Helga) Shannon and Mark (Nicki) Shannon; and sister, Cindy (Steve) McIntyre.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be on Thursday, May 8 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 565 W. Hermiston Ave., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m.
After Mass, Sharon’s remains will be put to rest at the Hermiston Cemetery beside her beloved aunt, Sally Shannon.
Please share memories of Sharon with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
