Barbara Harmount Shannahan

Barbara Harmount Shannahan passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and loving friends on November 29th. She was born July 5, 1930 and grew up in Dayton Ohio. She is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Cleo Harmount and her husband of 30 years, William D. Shannahan. She is survived by her son, Edwin H. Shannahan (Cynthia) of Clearwater, FL, her daughter Erin Hansen of St. Petersburg, FL, her grandson, Edwin W. Shannahan of Noblesville, IN and her great grandchildren Ameera and Dastan Shannahan of Noblesville, IN. Barbara attended Indiana University and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, of which she enjoyed a lifelong affiliation.

She met her husband Bill on a blind date playing bridge. They resided in Evansville, IN, St. Louis, MO, Mechanicsburg, PA, Atlanta, GA and moved to Clearwater in the late 60’s. She was an Administrative Assistant at Hunter Blood Center and served as the Secretary to the Board of Florida Association of Blood Banks. In 1979, she, her husband and daughter moved to Grand Rapids, MI where she lived until returning to Clearwater in 1996.

Barbara lived her life with immense joy and love. She had such style, flourish and creativity. She shone brightly and touched lives around her with her kindness, positive attitude and generosity.

She was an amazing and devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her great grandchildren knew her as “Grandma Sunshine”.

She was a member of Episcopal Church of the Ascension where she served on The Alter Guild, St. Teresa’s Guild and volunteered at the church thrift shop, The Shed. She served her community in the following organizations: The Junior League, Abilities Guild, Leading Ladies of Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater Alumnae Panhellenic and Transplants.

Barbara was an avid bridge player, enjoyed playing golf in her younger years, was fortunate enough to travel extensively, including many trips abroad and was a voracious reader. She loved to entertain and did so with elegance. To know Barbara, was to love her. She will always be our angel and guiding light.