I’ve been reminiscing and thought about Mary Jane- looked her up to find this lovely tribute.  She was the Music teacher at Thousand Oaks Elementary when I taught first grade there From 1979-1986.   What a lovely , great lady! She, myself, and two other teachers went to New York City in 1982 as soon as school was out . 10 fun filled days which we had planned during the school year. Stayed in Manhattan near Times Square. We went to Broadway shows, toured all over Manhattan.  Our list included Maxwell Plums, Elaines, Russian Tea Room, Little Italy, Chinatown, Lone Star Cafe, - we even ate at the Windows of the World on top of the Twin Tower.  Eating breakfast at the Palm Court of the Plaza hotel, we sat next to Caesar Romero who was laughing behind his newspaper at our stories of the night before.  At Dangerfields dinner club we saw a young Jay Leno for our entertainment!     After I moved to Southern Utah here at the opening of ZION National Park, she and her boyfriend were on a road trip and called me from snow Canyon by St. . George. Sadly I couldn’t talk them into driving here for a visit.   She was a truly beautiful woman in every way.    Im So glad to have known her . Linda Brinkley, Springdale Utah. 

MJ, Mom #2, thank you for guiding me through how to be a young woman!  LOL.  Just typing that makes me laugh.  The classes, the shows, the "how to dress", all helped shape me.  You impacted so many.  I thank you most of all for your daughter, Carma.  Love to MJ....go vising in heaven and have a ball!

She was my voice teacher while in high school.   I loved her very much❤️ While I was the GM of a hotel here in Roswell, she stayed with us - she  was in town for a wedding. I got to visit with her and to catch up in what she had been doing.  I was very sad to hear she had passed away. But we know where she is, singing in the heavenly choir.  She will be missed. 🌹

I was a sister-in-law of Mary Jane and we were close for many years. I’ve only seen Mary Jane during the past several years, but I always loved being with her! She  was a very talented woman. I’ve been glad to keep up with her daughter, Carma, for a number of years and I value that relationship! 

From social media - one of Mom's former students:
I send my deepest condolences and all the prayers to you and your family! I loved her passion for music and was blessed to be the recipient of her vocal teaching. She inspired a love of singing in me for which I'm so very grateful! May the Lord bless and comfort you!
Keith Heine

The pictures are wonderful of a sweet lady and her life. She was a joy to be around. Thank you for the memories. 

Mary Jane was one of my best choir director friends and certainly one of the principal reasons Roswell High School choirs were some of the best in the Southwest because of the great teaching she did. I'm very sad that she has died but her memory will live on for so many musicians and community members in Roswell. Her smile would light up the room and she was always so positive. My years as the choir director at Roswell High were blessed because of the beautiful person Mary Jane was. May she rest in God's presence. 
Chuck Rives,DMA


I am honored that I had the opportunity to call Mary Jane Shannon, Mom #2.  She was a part of our family and we were a part of hers.  So, where do I begin in telling a few memories? That task would be impossible to tackle.  There is an infinite collection of memories that are so intertwined throughout my life with Mom #2 that it is hard to single out just one, or two or 20.  (However, the frozen brick of underwear found in the freezer has to be at the top of the list, thanks David Riddle for that fun memory!) 
So instead, I’ll share how I remember her.

When I close my eyes and reminisce about Mom #2, I remember her fire red/orange hair that was a compliment to her spunky personality, her infectious and wonderful laugh, the cute little bounce when she walked, her beautiful smile that would touch her blue eyes, her perfection, her amazing voice, her endless energy, her direct and to the point attitude, her confidence and her vivaciousness for life. She was gracious, kind and sometimes strict all of which formulated an incredible lady (Dragon Lady) that lived such a fulfilled life. 

Mom #2, I will miss you dearly!
Love, April Chandler Rasmussen

P.S.  I just know that you are zooming around in that Red Mustang up in Heaven!

I had the honor to experience Mary Jane Shannon as a teacher, mentor and friend in my formative years growing up in Roswell, New Mexico.  Mary Jane played a huge role in developing my self-confidence.  As I reflect back as being one of her countless choir students at Mountain View Middle School from 1977 – 1978, many memories flood my mind.  One in particular was as her student assistant in 8th grade for the girls’ choir period.  In addition to making copies of music and assembling folders, I would sit next to her on the piano bench and turn the pages of music following her queue of nodding her head ever so slightly.  She made me feel so special and important!  Another hilarious memory was when Susan Owen, April Chandler and spent a week visiting her and Carma after they had moved to San Antonio.   One early morning Mary Jane opened the freezer and pulled out a frozen brick of my underwear – a prank played on me by the girls.  I was mortified! But Mary Jane brushed it off and we all laughed uncontrollably for days.   Mary Jane showed me to live life to the fullest, to be responsible and to always have fun.  I know that I am a better human being to this day because of her kindness and enthusiasm for life.  My heart is heavy for all of us who knew Mary Jane, especially for Carma, Martin, Bob and Michelle.  I also know that we all find comfort in the memories of an incredible life lived.  

Dear Carma,  I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing .  I only met her a few times but she  seemed like a very happy person.  From reading others messages it is clear she touched many people’s lives in a positive wonderful way.   U seem a lot like her her in the fact u are always smiling and look at the best in life with a positive attitude.  I am praying for her and your family.  I love  you!   Nina 

This past week one of the most important persons in my life died.  Mary Jane Shannon was choir director at Mountain View Middle School in Roswell, New Mexico where I attended in 1976-1977 during one of the most formative periods of my life.  I was in the choir under her direction, and we were award-winning quality, but she was so much more to me than a teacher and director.  She mentored me, listened to me, guided me in the ways of being a more engaged and decent human being.  I know she did this for myriads of individuals, but she was all that and more to me.  Heck, she even taught me how to drive!  I would remain connected to her throughout high school and even participated in some community theater projects with her (most notably an eye-opening & life-changing production of "Auntie Mame"!)  It was she that helped to ignite my playful, artistic,  out-of-the box qualities, for she lived them authentically & fully as well.  The song "Open A New Window" from Mame expresses so much about this woman and her effect on me.  I had the chance to visit her in Lubbock, Texas on my "nostalgia tour" in November of 2016 and I will *forever* be grateful I made the trip to see her (and others).  She was living with Alzheimers but, as this moment in history has sadly determined, she died from COVID-19.  I am delighted that in recent years I have reconnected with her daughter, Carma Shannon Ryan, and look forward to that friendship becoming richer and stronger.  Long live the memory of Mary Jane Shannon!


George Nelson, my husband and I are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend, Mary Jane.  We also sang with her in the Lubbock High choir.  George and I  also went to Tech with her.  It was a great pleasure to see her again and share memories with her at the Lubbock High 54 girls lunches.  As her obituary stated MaryJane was also very happy and fun to be with .  I am so sorry for your loss.  Joe Love Stogner Nelson

Mary Jane was a dear friend through First Christian Church. I got to know her well through our Silver Stars singing group, in which she faithfully participated for many years. I was blessed to provide rides to her between Carillon and Silver Stars locations the last few years, and I loved spending that extra time with her and and hearing about her days as the "Dragon Lady," in Lubbock High, and our shared background in Home Economics. Mary Jane was a fun and feisty lady, and a faithful servant. I miss her, but I look forward to next getting together in Heaven.

Dear Carma and Martin,  I visited with you mom several times in the last year.  And Allyson has been part time receptionist at Carillon.  We had such wonderful times with you mom at Raider Ranch, my Choir director, who was the heart of our services.  She is now in a better place making music for Jesus. Please let us know when the  Celebration of Life will be and if you need a minister.
love Michael Kenny

Aunt Janie was such a fun and loving person. She always greeted me with a "Hello Sugar" whenever I called or visited.  Her laugh and smile could light up the room.  I was blessed to be her niece and will miss the Dragon Lady with all my heart.

I am so sorry for the loss of a beautiful lady. Mrs. Shannon was my teacher at Mountain View and came to my house many times to help me prepare for the spelling bee. She and Mr. Shannon became family friends, and I was fortunate to have her sing at my wedding. Although I haven’t seen her for many years , I always remember her fondly. Please accept my most sincere condolences.
Shelly Graves Crouse

We meet Mary Jane in Roswell in 1960. . Aubrey and I became lifelong friend with Mary Jane and Kent. She is one of my most loved friends of my lifetime.  We were both teachers and loved our students.   We had our first daughters about the same time. We laughed a lot. Aubrey and I moved to Chicago and New your city and workout in close touch. We moved back to Roswell. I remember many trips up to the mountains to sight see.  We kept in touch our whole lives. I love you, Mary Jane and miss you. 

My Aunt Janie as I called her was relentlessly optimistic and would have declared without hesitation that she had a wonderful life. “It was JUST WONDERFUL!” was a favorite expression in her later years. Fun fact: as a 1970’s divorcée she took up the CB radio and her handle was “The Devil Woman”, deeply scandalizing my grandmother. I’m sure she would rather be remembered for her many other achievements but I’ll remember most of of all that she called me darlin’ and it was easy to be her nephew.

Carma (and Martin),  my deep condolences to you on the death of your dear mother. It was my honor to have met her and spent some time with her. My fondest memory, of course, is spending the day with her in Lubbock. Driving through her childhood neighborhood flooded her with memories and stories of her childhood. We drove around the university campus and she shared stories of friends and activities. By far the highlight of the day was the visit to the Buddy Holly museum. I got to hear first hand how much she loved music and beamed when she shared her stories of shared experiences with Buddy. That smile! That happiness! What happy memories she had of her childhood, her adventures and of course you Carma and her family! She loved visiting you and Martin in Germany, Ukraine and the various locations you were stationed in the US. Thanks for sharing your mother with us all (in the Ryan family). God Bless her soul and may your sadness ease thinking of how much she loved life and you also!  Love you,  your sister in law...Susan

Mrs. Shannon was my chorus teacher in 6th and 8th grades, my voice teacher throughout high school and my friend for the rest of her life. She always had a smile and a kind word for me and I will miss her on this earth, but will always remember her in my heart. She was a very special person for a lot of us in Roswell as well as a fellow Red Raider.

OBITUARY

Mary Jane Shannon

September 8, 1936 – December 15, 2020

Resthaven Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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