Delina Lillian Shannon Obituary
Delina Lillian Shannon of Sterling, MI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the age of 89. She was born in Sterling on August 24, 1935, to the late Stanley and Lillian Neid.
Delina married James Howard Shannon on May 7, 1955, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Standish, MI. They resided and raised their family in Bentley and later in Sterling.
Delina retired from the Standish-Sterling School district where she worked as a cook at the high school. She and Howard enjoyed camping, traveling the U.S., and her flower gardens, but her greatest passion was her love of family. Nothing gave her greater joy than sharing a meal with friends and loved ones. Mom had a love and compassion for all, and we children accepted at a young age that we had to share mom with anyone who needed motherly love and affection. It was just her loving nature!
After 59 precious years of marriage, Howard predeceased Delina and April 18, 2015. Mom bore her many crosses and suffering with dignity and grace. She often said that no parent should have to suffer the pain of burying a child, and yet Delina buried an infant daughter, Darlene, eldest daughter, Dianna, sons, James Jr. and Douglas, and great-grandson, Cody Saunders.
Surviving Delina is son, Daniel (Linda) Shannon and daughter, Denise (Tim) Hitz. Daughter-in-laws, Ruth Adams-Borovich, and Mary Shannon, brother-in-laws, Darrell (Laurie) Shannon, Daniel Shannon, and Raymond Pross, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Delina has 10 grandchildren: Michelle Saunders, Danielle Faunce, Holly (Paul) Cwiklinski, Pamela Shannon, Eric (Courtney) Shannon, Bryan (Brittany) Shannon, Shawn-Dell (Justin) Stenson, Amanda (Karl) Swarthout, Andrew (Madison) Shannon, and Linsey Shannon. She also had 17 great-grandchildren: Ashley (Maher) El-Awar, Zoey, Aiden, and Kaiden Stenson, August and Porter Shannon, Dawsynn and Deklynn Shannon, Quinn and Reese Cwiklinski, Madison and Amelia Swarthout, Brodie Hendrix and Scarlett Swarthout, Travis, Gage, and Colten Shannon.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Shannon, her parents, Stanley and Lillian Neid, brother Clyde (Marge) Neid, sisters, Diana (Edwin) Pross, Bernadine (Raymond) Pross, and Elaine Belchak. Also passing before her were brother-in-laws, Bruce, William, Darwin, Vincent, Anthony, and sister-in-laws, Theresa, and Mary Rose.
Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Resurrection of The Lord Catholic Parish with Rev. Fr. Ronald Wagner presiding with burial at Sterling Cemetery. Friends and family may visit Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home-Standish Chapel on Monday, February 10, 2025, from 2:00pm – 7:00pm, with a Prayer Vigil beginning at 7pm. On Tuesday, friends and family may visit at the church from 10:00am until time of mass.
