Agnes Elizabeth Shannon

Agnes (Betty) Shannon, aged 92, peacefully passed away on August 1, 2024, in Gilbert, AZ. Betty was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA.  Shortly after graduating from the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy High School, she began her studies at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, PA, graduating in August 1952.

Betty married Jack Griffin in May 1955 and went on to have four children: Martha, Ed, Margie, and Marie. The first home Betty and Jack bought was located in a small neighborhood in a suburb of Pittsburgh. It was in this neighborhood where Betty and Jack made lifelong friends. Some of the best memories are from the vacations to Nags Head, NC. with these friends. In 1975, Jack’s job required the family to move away from Pittsburgh; they moved several times until 1979 where they ultimately settled in Phoenix, Arizona. The multiple family moves were successful because of Betty’s strength, determination, and resilience. She managed the moves, settled her kids into new schools, and secured new jobs for herself. She was the glue that kept the family together. Her husband, Jack, passed away in April 1991, just one month before their 36^th wedding anniversary.

Betty’s nursing career spanned five states over 45 years. Betty had genuine love and dedication to nursing, whether it was in Labor & Delivery, Oncology, Pediatrics, or Geriatrics.  She loved being a nurse.  Her professional career came to an end when she retired in 1998 from Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) program. She never stopped being a nurse to her family.

Betty met her second husband, Ron Shannon, through his daughter, Colleen. Betty and Colleen were co-workers at ALTCS. After a long courtship, Betty and Ron married in May 1998. They spent many years splitting their time between homes in Arizona and Colorado; They eventually made Arizona their permanent home.

Betty had a passion for traveling (especially cruises), sewing, knitting, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.  Knitting was one of her favorite pastimes. She was known for knitting Barbie doll clothes, baby hats, personalized baby blankets, kitchen dish cloths, but her favorite item was Christmas stockings. You won the lottery if she knitted you a personalized Christmas stocking.

Her family and friends will remember her for the boundless love and warmth she brought into their lives. Betty’s legacy of love and care will undoubtedly live on through her family and all those she touched throughout her remarkable of life.

Betty is survived by her husband, Ron Shannon; three of her children, Martha Thornton, Ed Griffin, and Margie (Bo) Bollinger; sister, Eleanor (Leo) Cox; stepchildren, Colleen (Bill) Fisher, Danny (Elaine) Shannon, and Kathy Hiner; Her greatest joy was being Grandma to Abby Deines, Megan and Jack Hepburn, Sean and Sarah Thornton, Rebecca and Eddie Griffin, Nicole Lee, Hayley Fisher, Daniel and Brianna Shannon, and Carly Hiner; Great-grandma to Jameson Deines, Carson Griffin, Brayden George, and Kayla, Landon, Sophia, and Ava Thornton, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by first husband, Jack Griffin; her daughter, Marie (John) Griffin Hepburn; her parents, John and Agnes Cahill; her sister, Eileen (John) Bates; her brother, Jack (Jeanne) Cahill.

A funeral mass to honor Betty’s life will be held at 10:00am on Friday, August 23, 2024, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 440 E. Elliot Rd., Gilbert, AZ. Following the mass, the family will host a reception at the home of Margie and Bo Bollinger in Gilbert at 11:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Always Present Hospice, Gilbert, AZ or Susan G Komen @ komen.org.