Shannon Belle Quinn

Shannon Belle Wise was born in 1925 in Wyoming and spent much of her hard-strapped youth in the wide open spaces of Wind River country with her parents and two older brothers. A tomboy, she tagged along with Linden and Dudley as they got into adventures and inevitable mischief, as they were largely left to their own devices. Dean, born years later, missed out on all the high jinks. The combined hardship and wild freedom of her youth seem to have informed Shannon’s life-long resiliency and strength.

By the time Shannon’s family moved to Los Angeles, she was already a true beauty rivaling any movie star. Boys took notice, and at age 19, lovely Shannon married Ed, who tragically perished in WW II after the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. Shannon found work at the Bank of America in L.A., where she met Jerry Quinn, her second husband.

Most of Shannon’s married life was spent in Granada Hills, raising her five children, and being stepmother to Jerry’s two children from a previous marriage. Their house was always full of activity, but Shannon barely registered the squabbles and noise of her rambunctious children. She never broke character, remaining the sweet, loving, fun, funny, tough girl she was all her life. About the time her children were starting to leave the nest, Shannon became interested in the bible and thereafter remained a fervent believer in its teachings. No one could have been a more perfect example of the fruits of the spirit, before or after her immersion into her religion.

The years would bring ten beloved grandchildren, all of whom Shannon helped raise, all of whom loved her in return. It didn’t hurt that she was an excellent baker, loved sweets, and was a worthy competitor at board games and cards. She loved to win! Because Shannon was blessed with such a long life, she also got to enjoy her thirteen great-grandchildren, with one on the way. At the time Shannon died peacefully at home on June 20, 2021 at age 96, she was surrounded by most of her large family, who were holding her hands, stroking her hair, and telling funny Shannon stories – there were so many throughout her wonderful life – reminiscing, laughing and crying. It was as beautiful as a death can be.

Yet, it is so hard to say goodbye to sweet Shannon, our matriarch, our touchstone, the mother, step-mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend we cherish. How lucky we are to have had her in our lives.