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Shannon Lee Sargent

Shannon Sargent Obituary

Shannon Sargent, surrounded by her family and close friends, went to be with Jesus on December 31st, 2010 following a long and valiant battle against breast cancer. She was 55 years old. Born in Long Beach, CA, she moved with her family to Santa Cruz County in 1967. She graduated from Soquel High School class of 1973 and UC Santa Barbara, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Never without a pen or drawing pad, she became a very talented artist. For over 20 years Santa Barbara was her home, and her hand-painted work for Santa Barbara Ceramic Design gained her national acclaim in the world of American art pottery. Today, her pieces are highly valued and collected by people all over the globe.

A love of children inspired Shannon to spend the last ten years of her life devoted to teaching. She taught in the Bay Area and Santa Maria, and most recently, was a substitute for several districts in Santa Cruz County. The children she taught brought her much joy in the months before her passing.

Shannon wanted to thank the nurses and doctors involved in her care in the last year, and she wanted everyone to know that she was sustained in her struggle against cancer by her faith in Christ, and by the prayers offered by the people who loved her. We will miss her kindness, her unique sense of humor, and her desire for justice in the world.

Shannon is survived by her sisters and brothers-in-law; Jeanne Sargent and William Strangman of Scotts Valley, and Penelope Sargent and Andrew Gunther of Santa Cruz. She also leaves a brother, Jeffery Sargent of Los Angeles, and a niece, Louisa Ferrer of Santa Cruz.

Please note: Local services for Shannon Sargent on Feb. 5th have been cancelled. The memorial service has been moved to Santa Barbara in order to accomodate a majority of family, friends and co-workers. A celebration of her life will take place at 2:00 pm Feb. 12, 2011 at Hope Community Church, 560 N. La Cumbre Rd, Santa Barbara, CA. A Santa Cruz memorial gathering will take place later this spring: please contact the family for details.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Jan. 9, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Shannon Sargent

16 Entries

Nancy Lewis

January 3, 2022

Your artwork around my house leads me to think of you often, dear friend, and bring to mind your smiling face:)

Eliot Smith

January 3, 2020

Gone so long? Ah, little fox! I think of you often with tousled hair and bright eyes. While I draw breath, I will always hold you close in my heart and honor the gifts you offered.

Nancy Lewis

February 8, 2011

Dear Shannon, You were part of my life in our younger days in one of the most beautiful cities. We had adventures with our dear friends and we went to your hometown. We shared an interest in art and I still have examples of your work up in my home. There is a drawing of Gertie (Mindy's cockatiel) in an album that I am especially fond of. We are still connected and I wish you many blessings as the fruit of your earthly life. You are held now in the loving grace of Christ and I send you my love there.

Grace Tzeng

January 26, 2011

Shannon left her mark on the school we both worked at by buying little stools for the kids to stand on so they could reach the sink when they washed their hands. So many memories flood my mind as I think about her now.

I remember when she was recovered from her first operation from cancer and we were eating brunch at Stack's. The way she cherished the smell and the taste of her muffin made me understand that she really appreciated life. I didn't appreciate life as much as she did.

I guess she cherished everything about life, because she knew how fragile and fleeting life could be, since she had cancer. She'd been through so many ordeals, yet she always managed to smile.

I am honored I got a chance to know you and have you in my life. You will be missed, my friend.

Patricia Fitzpatrick-Lewis

January 23, 2011

Shannon
I know you are Dancing in Heaven. You were an inspiration and a light to me. My mother just arrived yesterday. I am praying God has you meet each other. You will fit right in with the family.
I love you.

Danielle Sampson

January 22, 2011

Earlier today I was noticing the cloud formations after I had spent a concentrated time in prayer. I asked God if there was something He wanted to say through these unusual shapes I was seeing. Then I noticed that one of the larger clouds was in the form of a woman with her arms raised up towards heaven. I immediately thought of Shannon and felt that was exactly what her spirit was expressing at that moment, praise and joyful worship. It was amazing to see and so comforting to me. As I watched, the cloud rose higher, and then higher still. At that same time I saw another cloud in the shape of a large bird at an angle with its wings pointing down. The next time I looked, that same bird shaped cloud had risen much higher, now angled up with the wings towards heaven. I could hardly believe what I was seeing and couldn't help but share my experience as a comfort to others.

Maureen Ray

January 21, 2011

I first met Shannon at Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara, then again at the Goleta Union School District. She was a substitute teacher -- I was the substitute coordinator. She was always pleasant, cheerful and had a smile on her face. She was warmly welcomed into every classroom. Heaven is a brighter place today because she is there....

shirley chavez

January 20, 2011

"Shannon touched my life in many ways, we would sit and talk about Jesus and she would be radiant with His presence. Her strength in life is that she belongs to Jesus. Her unconditional love for others encouraged and blessed me. Her surpassing peace displayed for all to see was evidence that the indwelling Father, Son and Holy Spirit tabernacled in her. She glorified the Lord in her life and has now graduated into the loving arms of her Father"Shirley Chavez (Scotts Valley

Danielle and Bob Sampson

January 16, 2011

We had the joy and privilege of knowing Shannon for over a decade and had many opportunities to share with her in a light, humorous way as well as on a deeper level, the various events and circumstances of life. We prayed for one another on many occasions and most recently during the recurrence of breast cancer. Shannon was a treasure, unique in every way. We will miss her greatly. At the same time, we are comforted knowing she is in the presence of Christ completely healed and gracing heaven with her kindness, compassion, creativity, humor, beautiful smile, and bright, sunny spirit.

Fran Iba

January 11, 2011

Shannon was like a twin. We both had freckles and frizzy hair and loved Bruce Cockburn, Monty Python and Christ. We were drawn to each other.
We often talked about how we loved liturgy and wanted to dance at the same time, and why weren't churches like that?
It comforts me knowing now she's being deep volumes of prayer, while dancing, embracing the whole sparkly universe laughing and smiling her Shannon smile.
May her deep faith in the love of God echo in our own souls the reality of what she truly knows now. She would like that.

Erica Covarrubias

January 10, 2011

We were blessed to know Shannon through her last days here at the nursing facility. It was an honor to know such a kind hearted, talented woman. I imagine Shannon creating art with all the people she loved in a beautiful peaceful place. God Bless. .

Michael King

January 10, 2011

The first response I have when I recall Shannon is one of a friendly and fun classmate at Soquel High. She was bright

Selina Reddan

January 9, 2011

A truly unique and beautiful light has left his earth. I am sure that with her great devotion and joy she is now in a wonderful place with her Lord Jesus. My thoughts are with all Sargentia in these trying times.

January 9, 2011

I was Shannon's friend and roommate for many years, and her innocent trust in God touched my life deeply. I remember watching her paint a picture of sunflowers - which to my untrained eye are pretty much just yellow. In the middle of one of the blooms, however, Shannon placed a brushstroke of deep red. I wondered at it, and she said that it was just the way God made them. I never looked at sunflowers quite the same way again.

Thank you, God, for this precious life and for the many lives you blessed through our dear Shannon!

Love and prayers -- Sandy Buchanan Johnson (formerly of Santa Barbara, CA)

Eliot

January 9, 2011

I remember Shannon as witty and funny, and full of depth. She was a bright sunny smile and a true friend with an ability to love and honor that was astounding in its depth and duration. She touched me in ways that I can not even begin to explain. We will all miss her.

Lynn Flink

January 8, 2011

I feel blessed that I was able to spend time with Shannon and wish I'd had the opportunity to get to know her better. I will always treasure my happy memories of her.

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