Shirley Jean Shaughnessy

Shirley Jean Christiansen Shaughnessy, a beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025 at the age of 97. She was born in Tacoma, WA on January 4, 1928 to Olga Rygg and Olaf Christiansen. She was preceded in death by her three beloved brother's, Wayne, Marvin, and Kenny.

Shirley lost her mom to tuberculosis when she was three years old. Her biggest sadness in life was never knowing her mom and having a mother daughter relationship. After her mother's passing, she was raised primarily by her Grandfather Enock and Auntie Vi Rygg until grade school. At that time, her brothers, dad, and various other relatives pitched in to take care of her.

She grew up in Tacoma and met Jack Shaughnessy in 1947 at King Skating Rink. He was in his Navy uniform. She thought he was really cute. When Ladies Choice was announced, she asked him to skate. The rest is history. They married on September 10, 1949 at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Tacoma, WA. Following Jack's college graduation, they had the opportunity to travel while Jack pursued his career as a Geologist in WA, WY, CO, UT, NM, AK and TX. Jack passed April 23, 2016. They were married 66 years.

While living in Amarillo for 47 years, Shirley was a member of the Panhandle Geological Society Auxiliary. She held every leadership role in the organization and some of them multiple times. After her second great grandbaby was born, she decided to move to an assisted living facility in Chandler, AZ to be closer to family. She made new friends there and loved joining them in the Dining Room or Bistro for meals and dessert. Shirley never met a dessert she didn't like. Plus, she was quite lucky when it came to playing games.

Even though she worked intermittently as a Secretary for title companies and insurance adjusters, her true love was raising three children: Kurt, Kim, and Kelly. She was a loving, caring, and supportive mother. Her daughter-in-laws, son-in-law, grand and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews received that same benefit. Shirley was a friend to everyone she

met. Before macular degeneration and strokes impacted her sight, she loved embroidering on pillow cases, playing volleyball, reading autobiographies, and writing notes to family and friends as well as traveling by car or airplane within the USA, Europe, and Africa. She was a good sport and always loved adventures.

Jack was a licensed pilot. Shirley and Jack took many trips together in their airplane. The kids would always ask their Mom, "What are you going to do if Dad has a heart attack?" She would always respond, "I guess I will die with him." The day after Kelly called to tell his parents they would soon be grandparents, Shirley immediately signed up for the next Private Pilot ground school class. She was the oldest student, achieved the highest score in the class, and then took flying lessons. Nothing would stand in her way to spend time with her family.

Shirley will be remembered as a beautiful, loving, kind-hearted, happy-go-lucky lady who loved hugs. She always wore "bling" and had a beautiful smile. She was strong, stubborn, and independent with a great sense of humor. Her nickname was "Energizer Bunny"... she was the gift that kept giving, and her motto was, "Use it or lose it." She will be missed but not forgotten. The joy and positivity she shared with others will hopefully have a long lasting impact!

Shirley is survived by her children: Kurt (Tamara), Kim (Jim) Allan, and Kelly (Rachelle) O'Shaughnessy; Grandchildren: Tyren (Jimmy) Barker, Bronson, and Connor (Rosemarie); and Great-grandchildren: Brooklyn Barker, Connor Jr (CJ) and Jameson Shaughnessy; Sister-in-law Barbara Christiansen; and multiple generations of nieces and nephews.

A service will be held in her honor on April 5, 2025 at Calvary Cemetery, 5212 S 70th St, in the chapel in Tacoma, WA: viewing 10:30; service 11:00; with burial to follow. The family kindly requests that, instead of sending flowers, donations in Shirley's memory can be made to the American Foundation of the Blind, American Lung Association, or your favorite charity.

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