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Shannon MATTHEWS Obituary
Shannon Hilary Matthews
January 31, 1988 to December 9, 2015
Shannon Matthews, much loved daughter of Sue and Biff Matthews and adored sister of Graham and Trevor Matthews, died in her sleep in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on December 9th, aged 27.
Funny, smart, generous, hard-working and brave, Shannon led an adventurous life. At a very early age, it became clear that she loved being in and around water. She pursued competitive swimming in her youth and shared her father's love of snorkeling. At the age of 12, Shannon became a certified Scuba diver, marking the beginning of a lifelong passion. After graduating from Lakefield College School, she taught Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef and ran a marine research diving program on a remote island in Fiji.
Later, Shannon studied for four years at the University of Toronto while spending her summers performing search and rescue for the Canadian Coast Guard, eventually running the Coast Guard Base on Brébeuf Island in Southern Georgian Bay. She loved the fast-paced nature of the Coast Guard, her only complaint being that there were not more emergency situations in any given week. She continued to pursue her passion for helping others in critical situations, spending her winters as a paramedic in St John's, Newfoundland and as a medical volunteer at a hospital in Arusha, Tanzania. Some of Shannon's happiest days were spent in Tanzania, helping those who needed it most. She had been looking into studying medicine there at the time of her death.
In addition to her family, Shannon leaves behind friends across the globe, including a number of families with whom she spent extended time during her travels, and who loved her like their own, and her loving friend, Jason Serroul, with whom she shared her passion for Scuba diving.
Shannon was such a spark - she lit up our lives. The world will not be the same without her.
There will be a service to celebrate the life of Shannon Matthews at Rosedale United Church, 159 Roxborough Drive, Toronto at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 18th.
Flowers gratefully declined. For those who wish, donations may be made to www.savethechildren.ca, a charity that Shannon supported.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Shannon MATTHEWS
3 Entries
Gizella Geisler
July 4, 2025
This is so upsetting to read. I went to school with Shannon way back in the day. I don't remember the school that we attended but I do know that we attended the same camp as well Glen Bernard camp and we always have so much fun together. I always think about her and wonder why I can't find it on social media and now I found this. My condolences to her family. And I'm so sorry that this happened. God bless her soul. She was so fun. She is also now with my sister in heaven.
Zoe
January 15, 2024
I remember growing up with Shannon, as we were cousins. I remember going to her lake house in the summer. She was so adventurous and full of life. I still miss her dearly. My son was born in 2016 and in memory to her his middle name is Matthews. I still have so many photos of her and I at the lake when we were 7 or 8. I cherish every moment I spent with her!
Luigi Giamello
March 11, 2020
I had the privilege to teach Shannon scuba diving when she was young, with her dad .We became friends with her family too. I'll never forget this young girl, her energy, her passion in doing things, her warm hearth capable of living finger's prints in people's lives.
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