Margaret Kathleen Shannonhouse

Kathleen, as she was known to her family and friends, was born in Oklahoma to the late Edna Christine (Parmelee) Shannonhouse and Joseph Granbery Shannonhouse, III, a native of Raleigh, North Carolina. She is preceded in death by her parents.

Kathleen is survived by her three children: Tiffany Ann Neijna and her husband, Adam, of Raleigh, North Carolina; Dr. Tamara Ann Helfer and her husband, Eric, of Champaign, Illinois; and Joshua Dean Burns and his wife, Mindy, of Little Rock, Arkansas. She is also survived by her brothers, Joseph Granbery Shannonhouse, IV, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Hugh Parmelee Shannonhouse of Houston, Texas; and her sister, Rebecca Claire Shannonhouse, of Stamford, Connecticut. Kathleen has 10 grandchildren: Zoë, Ava, Noah, Atticus, Brayden, Cale, Drake, Jason, Haley and Benjamin, as well as many nieces and nephews.

As a young girl, Kathleen was an accomplished pianist and equestrian and embarked on what would become a lifelong pursuit of wide-ranging interests, which included over the years figure skating, scuba diving, sailing, tai chi, creative writing, acting and genealogy.

She graduated with honors from Classen High School in Oklahoma City. In 1978, she graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Edmond, Oklahoma, with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration, and in 1979 was awarded a Master’s of Business Administration, also from UCO, where she received many academic recognitions. She began her professional career in public accounting and later worked as director of internal auditing at various university systems, including the University of Illinois (where she completed the Executive Development Program in 1987), the University of Alabama and the Regional University System of Oklahoma.

Throughout her life, Kathleen had an insatiable love of learning. She also had a fervent zest for life—her positive and optimistic outlook was contagious. When greeting others, she regularly began by proclaiming “Happy Sunday” (or whatever the appropriate day of the week). A forward-thinking supporter of women’s empowerment, Kathleen always looked for opportunities to serve those in need. She loved theater, opera and films (including foreign films) and volunteered as a docent at the North Carolina Museum of Art. A great listener and always open to hearing opposing points of view, she enjoyed discussing politics and other current events. Sudoku and puzzles were a favorite pastime as were leisure walks in the park.

A loving mother who deeply believed in the importance of family traditions, Kathleen was a constant source of support for her children as they grew up and later for her many grandchildren. Handwritten letters, daily cards sent to those at sleep-away camp (or for any day she deemed special) and care packages brimming with homemade gumdrop cookies were her specialties. Throughout life—no matter what the obstacle—she always reassured her loved ones that everything would be OK. “It’s just an adventure,” she would say with a smile. An inspiration to all who knew her, Kathleen’s kindhearted spirit and bright light will be carried on as her legacy.

May her memory be a blessing.

A private memorial service will be held at 9:00 am on Saturday, October 9, 2021, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Family will welcome visitors, Monday, October 11, 2021 from 6-8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kathleen’s honor to the Fletcher Park donor bench program, www.raleighnc.gov.

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