Jonathan Shawn Sanborn

Shawn entered this world on August 1,1966 and had physicians scratching their heads. He puzzled them again when he quietly passed December 28, 2023. Shawn always lived life on his own terms. Shawn was a bringer of joy, a spreader of smiles, a lover of mischief with a default mood of happy. He brought unconditional love to those who crossed his path, and to those lucky enough to grow up with him, a greater understanding of how differently-abled individuals bring so much light and joy into our lives. As a differently-abled child, Shawn grew up in Traverse City, surrounded by a loving family. Shawn attended educational programs in Traverse City and later Smoky Hill High School when his family moved to Colorado. Shawn was a regular at Camp Roy-El, thoroughly enjoying his summer stays there, and he waited patiently by the mailbox every Christmas for the annual camp book. He wore the pages smooth looking back on the summer fun that the amazing camp gave to all kids with different abilities in the Traverse City area. Summers in Michigan also meant staying and playing at his grandparent’s cottage on Lake Leelanau. He was a master of water balloons, baseball on the lawn, and the ringer of the bell to announce the afternoon Happy Hour. With his siblings and cousins, he loved swimming and playing at the lake and laughing at any boating mishaps or water-skiing falls. Shawn was also the fall guy for broken items and mishaps around the house, for which his family members are eternally grateful. Disney World was truly Shawn’s Happiest Place on Earth as he loved meeting the characters, riding Thunder Mountain Railroad, singing along with the characters in the Tiki Room and the Bear Jamboree. The memories made there over the years evolved into classic family stories that are still shared today. After moving back to TC in 2000, Shawn began employment with Grand Traverse Industries. Most days he enjoyed boarding the BATA bus and heading to GTI for work, activities, or community programs. His colleagues there became like family. Shawn reached the age of 57 because of the amazing care and passionate advocacy by his mother. In 2010, he joined the Kennedy House Adult Foster Care home, where he was fortunate to live with his peers and the care of genuinely kind, loving, and caring staff who also became family. Shawn is survived by his father, Ronald Sanborn, and his sister, Kimberly MacDonnell, his favorite cousin, Nicole Alters Moore, his nieces, and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by his housemates and the amazing caregivers at Kennedy House. We know he is missed by his colleagues at GTI. Shawn is preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Sanborn (Depky), his brother, Ronald Sanborn Jr, his loving grandparents, and his uncle, Robert Sanborn. We are certain that Shawn has had a most glorious reunion with his mom and his beloved grandmother. We are all better for having had him in our lives.

Jonathan Shawn Sanborn

August 1, 1966 - December 28, 2023