Jeanne Elizabeth Shannon

Norwich- Jeanne Elizabeth Shannon, beloved mother, sister, aunt, and friend, died peacefully on March 5, 2025. Born in Norwich, the devoted daughter of the late Stella and Philip Shannon, she grew up in Greeneville, attended St Mary’s School, and graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in 1965.

She received a degree in history from Catholic University in Washington, DC, and after touring Europe with friends, she worked in Boston as a business analyst. She then earned advanced degrees from Eastern CT State University and UConn specializing in Curriculum Development. Jeannie taught in the Norwich School System at the primary, intermediate, secondary, and adult levels for 36 years notably at Kelly Junior High and Buckingham Memorial where she served as Assistant Principal. She also served as Summer School Director and she assisted numerous teachers in delivering progressive and engaging lessons as a Madeline Hunter trained coach.

Jeannie, as she was known to her family and close friends, was an avid tennis player and skier, and she passed her love of skiing on to her daughter, nieces, and nephews, mentoring them on the slopes at Killington, VT. Her summer days were spent at the family cottage at Misquamicut Beach where she enjoyed walking the sandy stretch between Watch Hill and Weekapaug (RI) - often with youngsters trailing by her side. In her quieter moments she would be seen reading a biography or murder mystery. Jeannie had an extraordinary memory for details, and her joy of reading and learning made her a go-to expert in the family for historical information and guidance. She loved flowers, political analysis, and the art of debate, and she often fostered lively discussions with her students and the entire family.

Jeannie was embraced by a loving extended family which was the foundation of her life, and her generous heart, entertaining stories about teaching, and insightful perspective will be dearly missed, especially by her devoted daughter Catherine who is her pride and joy and currently a junior at the University of Connecticut.

She is survived by her sister Patricia Shannon of Vernon, CT, brother Joseph Shannon of Middletown, RI, nephews Jonathan Hull of Harwinton, CT, Christopher Hinchey of Columbia, SC, Brendan Hinchey of Mystic, CT; nieces Jody Hull of Alexandria, VA and Lacy Shannon Omer of Big Sur, CA; brother-in-law Dale Immel of Lorton, VA; numerous grand nieces and nephews and dear friends, Eleanor Eccleston of Norwich, CT and Mary Gubbins of Falls Church, VA. Jeannie is predeceased by her older sister Stephanie Shannon Immel.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at the Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Ave., Norwich from 4 to 6 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Broadway, Norwich on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 10 am, meeting directly at the Cathedral. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Norwich.

Memorial donations may be made to Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA) www.frua.org.

Please visit www.labenskifuneralhome.com to leave a message of condolence for the family.