Shannon Kay Mckinsey

As a young child still in elementary school, an aunt who was a labor and delivery nurse gave her a tour of the hospital where she worked. Shannon came home and announced that she would one day be a nurse. She never changed her mind.

She graduated from Clovis West High School in 1991 and attended both Fresno City College and California State University, Fresno. After high school, her early work experience was always in a doctor's office and later was hired as a Pediatric Nurse Intern for Children's Hospital Central California in June 1999.

Shannon earned her nursing degree at Fresno City College in December 1999. In January 2000, Children's Hospital hired her full time as a Registered Nurse. She was a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). She earned her certification in critical care nursing which changed her title to Shannon McKinsey, RN, CCRN. She found her home at Children's in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and remained there until her passing. She not only loved what Children's Hospital meant to the community, she had a very strong attachment to each child and family whom she felt privileged to work with. Shannon enjoyed the relationships she had with all the people she worked with and talked about many of the staff often. The staff members of Children's Hospital were truly her extended family.

Of all of her accomplishments, her daughter, Heather was by far the most important to her. She was her pride and joy. Very rarely did you see one without the other. Shannon's favorite topic was her daughter.

Shannon is survived by her daughter, Heather; her mother, Janis Burford and her husband Roy Brinlee; her sister, Megan Willey and her husband Kurtis Willey; and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Monday, August 22, 2011, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service will be held at Stephen's and Bean Chapel on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.

Remembrances may be made to Children's Hospital Central California.