Kathleen Kelly Shannon

Kathleen Kelly Shannon (JD, ESQ) was born November 5, 1963, in Royal Oak, Michigan. Kathleen was a loving daughter and was proceeded in death by her father, William Norman Shannon III and survived by her mother, Bernice, “Bonnie” Urbanowicz Shannon. She was called to heaven on May 26, 2025. She is survived by her sons Ryan Shannon Schmidt (Luvyana Marquez-Schmidt, wife) and Daniel William Schmidt; her sister Colleen Patricia Shannon and her son Dr. Declan Patrick Shannon; her sister Dr. Kerrie Ann Shannon and her two sons Frederik "Freddie" Shannon and Charles "Charlie" Shannon and her cousin (JR) and Donna Bohn and their son Connor Bohn. Kathleen excelled in academics and graduated Salutatorian from Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Notre Dame (Class of 1985) with a double major in Business and Computer Science. Kathleen remained a lifelong “Domer” as was evident in her ringtone which played the Notre Dame Fight Song. She went on to pursue a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Indiana University School of Law. She embraced her semester in London, and it was one of her favorite places to visit. She practiced law for several years in the Chicago area and had countless last minute confidential trips as part of her work for the FDIC. She moved to Northern Michigan and owned her own business, Bellaire Hardware, in Bellaire, MI. After selling the business, she returned to law and moved to Traverse City, Michigan. Kathleen has always devoted time to others and was president and served on the board of trustees for Women’s Resource Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Women Lawyers Committee. She also was an active member of the Notre Dame Club, an active parent at GTACS, and spent countless hours volunteering at school and Boy Scout events. Kathleen honored both her Irish and Polish heritage and traveled to Ireland multiple times and enrolled in a Polish language immersion class in Lublin, Poland. Kathleen was a planner and fun maker, whether it was at work or at home she made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. Her favorite thing was being a mom. She was a devoted mother to Ryan and Daniel and she warmly welcomed her new daughter-in-law, Luvy, into her home. Kathleen was a gifted cook and always provided great meals including her sons’ favorites like corn beef and cabbage and beef stroganoff. She prepared for large family gatherings and enjoyed hosting them. Before she became a mom, she was “Auntie” to Declan. For all of her nephews, she was the “fun aunt.” Kathleen was the oldest of three girls and has always been a loving big sister to Colleen and Kerrie. The bond of three girls is so strong they are each other’s best friends. Kathleen is adored by her friends and has touched their lives. She remembered birthdays, supported friends at their weddings and funerals, and would even make a meal filled with comfort foods for a friend going through a tough time. She had a sincere tenderness for others. Her home was the house of love and affection. She made sure that fun abound. She just did not have a few magna-tiles for the boys to play with, she had enough to build giant buildings, runways and outbuildings. The Mellisa and Doug cardboard building bricks were enough to assemble a house within a house. She did a lot for her children and made sure they always had pets, Sorin and Pierogi, who gravitated to Kathleen. Kathleen is a writer at heart and keeper of memories. She found humor in the ordinary life and had a warm way of making others laugh. Her graduation speech from High School was so funny that she read a copy at their most recent reunion. Kathleen made sure that she recorded the humorous things others said or did and created the Shannon Family Quote Book that she added to regularly. One of her favorite games with her boys and nephews was to play “the story game,” where everyone added a line or two to create an adventure. Kathleen’s joy was in giving to others. Her love was generous and big, her friendships ran deep, and she will be missed by many. She was also proceeded in death by her grandparents Francis "Frank" and Genevive Urbanowicz, her Uncle Frank Urbanowicz, and her Aunt and Uncle Joan and Dick Bohn. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from with a Rosary and Eulogy beginning at 5:00 PM, Rosary at 5:30PM and open visitation to follow until 7:00 PM. A Catholic Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church: 10:00 AM visitation, 11:00 AM Mass and a Luncheon to follow at the Immaculate Conception Church. In honor of Kathleen’s generous spirit and her commitment to her community, memorial contributions may be made to Big Brother Big Sisters of Traverse City and Women’s Resource Center. Share thoughts and memories with her family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Kathleen Kelly Shannon

November 5, 1963 - May 26, 2025