Shannon Lea Hellman, 46, of Cary passed away at her home Monday, April 21, 2014 after a long struggle with Young Onset Alzheimer’s disease. Her family delighted in her strong Christian faith and that they will see her again in heaven. Shannon was an outgoing and vibrant woman who always had a bright smile. Because her dad was in the Air Force, she grew up in many places around the world and made an impact on people’s lives wherever she went. Her family was blessed by memories and pictures from many of her friends during the last stages of her illness. They celebrated this beautiful life that will remain in their hearts forever.
Shannon won the Miss Virginia National Teenager pageant in 1984. Through this pageant she earned a full tuition scholarship to Oklahoma City University where she graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. degree in Mass Communications in 1989. She was very creative and worked as a graphic designer upon graduation until her children were born. She adored her three children and homeschooled them for four years.
Shannon was born June 28, 1967 in Landstuhl, Germany, to Michael Frank and Judy McAlister Rundle. She married Carl A. Hellman IV, her high school sweetheart and husband of 25 years.
Surviving are her husband, Carl, and children, Austin, Bryan and Carolyn Hellman of Cary; her parents, Michael and Judy Rundle of Cary; sister, Shelly (and husband, Robert) Sutherland of Los Alamos, NM; brother, Steve (and wife, Michelle) Rundle of Yokota AB, Japan; mother-in-law, Jackie Hellman of Hampton, VA; brother-in-law, Rick Hellman of Hampton, VA; nieces and nephews, Landon, Kelson, Allie, Amanda, Kristen, Nathan, Kaitlyn, and David; and several other extended family and friends.
She was a member of First Baptist Church in Cary.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2014 at First Baptist Church in Cary. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through www.brownwynnecary.com.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s North Carolina, Inc. (alznc.org) at 1305 Navaho Dr. #101, Raleigh, NC 27609.
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