Shannon and I traveled around France many years ago. She was a spirited interesting woman who loved art and beauty.

As a storyboard artist, I was trapped in many agency conference rooms, prepping presentations with Shannon. Along with getting the assigned work done, we would amuse each other with stories sourced in our lives. Shannon told me one, that I still love and deserves to be shared now as a sketch of her sense of humor. She related (in approximation):

My husband struggled to find work in his career as an actor.. there were huge gaps of unemployment. With small children and my single income (essentially doing piece work) coming from commercial Illustration, money was tight. He needed to bring income into our family. I problem solved on this circumstance all the time. One night, impossibly late, I woke him up in our bed with a brilliant solution.

"You need a job- right?", I began, and he agreed, trying to wake up and to keep up with my narrative. "You can't work during the day because you need to answer casting calls- right?" He nodded. "You can't work at night because you need to be fresh for those casting calls-right?" He nodded again as the problem was concisely framed. I leaped out of bed and bent over to his face to emphasize the brilliance of my solution and proposed, "You can take in ironing..!" He mulled it over, confusion racing all over his forehead and finally said, "But I don't like ironing."

"Just screwing with you", she replied, "go back to sleep."

Shannon was a solid pro and fun to work with. We will miss her in these times running by too fast.

I shared great times with Shannon throughout our many years of friendship that began as co-workers in the storyboarding industry. We shared the love for painting and became neighbors in the years before she moved to Oaxaca. She was a unique, saucy, creative woman with a fantastic sense of humor and an independent nature I admired.  Always up for fun and new experiences, its hard to believe her vibrant soul is no longer with us.  She was truly one of a kind. Shannon is and will be greatly missed.  My heart goes out to Jud, Steven, Christopher, and their families whom she loved and spoke of often. 

Chris, Stephen and Jud - so sorry for you loss.   Always difficult to say goodbye to your mom.   I remember visiting you all when I was young on a cross-country trip and (Aunt) Shannon  was so accepting and engaging while I stayed with you all.   She always lit up a room and her perspective was fresh and thoughtful.   She had a different vibe about her than I was used to, but it was loving, engaging, respectful and insightful.   What more could you ask for!