Colleen Shannon passed away with her family by her side on Tuesday, January 12 in Worcester, MA.  She was 88.

Born on November 30th, 1932, the daughter of Joseph Shannon & Ada Pottle, she grew up as an energetic, Irish, Catholic lass, who attended elementary & high school in the greater Worcester area.  As a beautiful and fiercely independent young women, she pursued a career in sales, where she traveled as far west as Chicago in the early 1950's.  As a natural negotiator with an eye for numbers and a mind for business, she leveraged her entrepreneurial spirit in banking and the hospitality industries including a stint as the owner of her own hotel & motel complex.  However, her most successful venture, was as the co-owner of Hi-Line Construction, where she and her husband founded and operated their business to incredible heights (literally), as one of the premier restoration contracting firms in New England, dedicated to the preservation of churches, government & historical landmark buildings from Maine to Florida.

However, she would suggest that her greatest accomplishment and joy in life was raising her (3) children on their family home nestled in the small mountain town of Bethlehem, New Hampshire.  She & her husband chose this unique place to raise their family based on an appreciation for the wholesome, simple things in life that harkened them back to a bygone era.  As you followed the dirt road down to her property you were greeted by a row of white birches that widened to several acres of maple and apple trees, along with her garden and an array of farm animals she had collected along the way.  Upon entering her home, you immediately felt the warmth of her antique stove she had on display and amazed by the plants she had grown in her sun filled window bay.  To friends and family, she was an extraordinary dancer with moves never before seen and as she smiled her beautiful smile, a twinkle of light would glean.  An inviting hostess to everyone and the life of the party you'd hear, while laughter permeated the kitchen, as she threw back a salty beer.  In typical New England fashion, she was a friend to many, but never your fool, for she was our family matriarch perched upon her stool.  For those that new her well, we most adored her soft, hazel eyes, for they gave us a mirror image of her heart and all its size.

In her senior years, she returned to Worcester, the city of her youth, but still with no moss to grow on, that's an order she would refuse.  For even in her twilight years, she worked well into her 80's, organizing trips to the Indians, and advocacy for her elder ladies.  She even was President of Tenant Council for her residents, Seabury Heights, where she resided with her mother, Dede, until they dimmed the lights.  Her life was full of progress that inspires us to say, it was her love and warmth that will carry us each & every day.  She was a gift we will remember, like the freshly fallen snows, a gift we will treasure, she was our "wild Irish rose".

She is survived by her daughters Colleen Walsh, Raeann Gilbert and her son Shannon Moore.  She will be remembered fondly as Mana by her 8 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and adoring cousins.

A private celebration of life ceremony will be held with immediate family in Worcester, MA.

Thank you to the staff at St. Vincent's Hospital for caring for her during these challenging times and to the many friends she along her storied life.

The Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  A guest book is available at www.shaw-majercik.com where you may offer condolences or light a candle in remembrance of Colleen.