Mary Jane Shannon

Jane Shannon nee Mary Jane Bowlus (born Mary Alice Hood) was a lover of many things. Crossword and jigsaw puzzles, a good steak or hamburger, musicals, penny slot machines, solitaire, and too many television shows to mention. But what she loved most was her family.

She leaves behind her two sons, Patrick and James, her three grandchildren, Stephanie and husband Ron Patterson, Nicole and husband Joseph Bissaillon, and James Shannon Jr.; and her five adoring great grandchildren, Maya Patterson, Mikayla Bissaillon, Conner Shannon, Sophie Bissaillon, and Alexa Bissaillon.

After 94 years, she passed away peacefully on April 30, 2024 to reunite with her husband she missed dearly, Chester Shannon Jr.

Jane had too many accomplishments to mention but I will try. She was a loving wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma. She learned to drive a car while she was working for the Automobile Club or AAA as it's known today (although her sons would argue she never did learn to drive). She paved the way as the first female in management for Harris Corporation. She was a longtime member of the Dayton Chapter of Eastern Star. At 68 years of age she decided she wanted to learn how to swim and took lessons at her local YMCA and was swimming every stroke she could get under her swim cap in no time.

Born on January 13, 1930, in Allen County, Ohio, Jane saw the world change, the landscape of the towns she grew up in evolve and grow. Jane was a vivid storyteller and loved to tell stories of her grade school days, riding on the train that her grandfather was the conductor of with her two rolls of Necco wafers that cost just a nickel, how her father worked for the Sunshine Biscuit Company, and how she came to meet her biological father after a swim in the local swimming pool.

She will be sorely missed by her son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who spent so much time with her. Friends and family may call at the graveside service at Royal Oak Memorial Gardens in Brookville, Ohio on May 11, 2024 at 11:00 AM.

We love and miss you already Grandma.