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Karen Shanahan Obituary
She was born in Hartford, a daughter of Linda (Doughney) Shanahan, with whom she made her home in Poquonock, and James E. Shanahan of East Hartford. Karen was a graduate of Northwest Catholic High School of West Hartford, Class of 1997, and earned her undergraduate degree in early childhood development at St. Joseph's College, Class of 2001. She also pursued her master's degree and graduated from Central Connecticut State University. Karen was a member of the Enfield Teachers Association, Connecticut Teachers Association, as well as serving as an adviser to the Student Council and the Enfield Professional Learning Committee.
But it was Justin who was the essence of her life. It was these special moments that she cherished the most. Besides her son and parents, she leaves two brothers, Sean J. Shanahan of Windsor Locks and Patrick Shanahan of East Hartford; two sisters, Kathleen Shanahan of Wethersfield and Susan Cyr of Newington. She also leaves several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 1747 Poquonock Ave., with Rites of Committal to conclude at St. Joseph's Cemetery, both on Poquonock Avenue, in the Poquonock section of Windsor.
At Karen's family's request there will be no calling hours.
Contributions in her memory may be directed to the Justin L. Shanahan Educational Fund, c/o Windsor Federal Savings Bank, 250 Broad St., Windsor, CT 06095.
For online condolences and guestbook, please visit us at
www.carmonfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Karen Shanahan
Greg Metzidakis
April 6, 2011
I am very sorry to have heard this news. I did a short practice teaching stint under her and knew from the start that she was a natural at teaching.
I send my deepest condolences to her family and to the entire faculty and student body at Nathan Hale Elementary School. Again, I am very sorry for your loss!
James Shanahan
April 3, 2011
All My Love To My Little Girl Forever And Always. Your Loving Dad
William Lash
March 28, 2011
Linda, I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter Karen.
Prayers and Sympathy
Bill Lash and Family
William Lash
March 28, 2011
Linda,I'm so sorry about the loss of your daughter Karen.
Jen Trench
March 25, 2011
I worked with Karen at Nathan Hale for 3 years and sadly just found out about this sad news. I'm so sorry for Justin and her whole family. She was a fantastic teacher and I have fond memories. Having lost my sister a few years back this hits me very hard. I'm so sorry!
Frankie Rook
March 24, 2011
To Justin and his family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Ms Shanahan was a great teacher and she will be missed but her nice memories will never die.
I will always remember Ms Shanahan as my first grade teacher.
Nicole Lawlor
March 23, 2011
Justin,
I am very sorry for the loss of your mother. I know this is a very hard time for you right now. My family and I would like to wish you the best of luck and make sure you stay strong through these hard times right now.
Graham Clark
March 22, 2011
To Linda and all the family.
We are very sorry to hear of your loss.
Graham, Norman and Family (MMC Limited)
Donna Simpon
March 21, 2011
To the Shahahan Family
My sincere condolences for your lost. Kathy, Sue, Patrick and especially Jim
Donna Simpson
March 20, 2011
Miss Shanahan was a devoted mother and would help others with open arms. She very rarely missed watching Justin train at his martial arts classes and would make sure I pushed him to his capabilities for his success. She will be missed and remembered always. Our condolences go out to Justin and the entire Shanahan family.
Mr. Hurrle - Academy of Martial Arts, Windsor Locks
Michelle & Wasin Vacharakupt
March 20, 2011
We are so sad for the loss of such a wonderful teacher. Both of my children had wonderful experiences in her classroom. We hare grateful that she will forever be a part of our family's life story.
Thaddeus and Cynthia Dillon
March 19, 2011
Our daughters MacKenzie and Abigail had Ms. Shanahan in 1st grade. They both loved having her as a teacher and she was such a great person. I am so sorry to hear about her passing at such a young age. It is not fair to her, her family, her son or the children that she ment a lot to. Thank you Karen for dedicating your life to our children here in Enfield, CT. You will be deeply missed.
nizete walsh
March 19, 2011
My daughter olivia loves having Ms shanahan as a first grade teacher! She will miss her so much. God needed Ms shanahan skills in heaven .our prayers are with all of her family !
Ryan Poland
March 19, 2011
I knew Karen in high school. Justin I want you to know that your mom was an amazing young lady. I've never known a woman,who was more driven to better herself because of the birth or her son. I haven't seen your mom in ten plus years but I still feel the absolute love she had for you. I'm so sorry!
Joe Tine
March 19, 2011
Karen, you were perfect in every way and I am extremely happy about the time we spent together. You truly put a smile on my face every time we spoke and I was never happier then we would have discussions that lasted for hours. Knowing you gave me such energy and a great sense of how you gave so much of yourself to others, especially your students and family. I am happy that I could make you laugh and smile so many times, it was always great to share your excitement. I will never forget you and the great time we were able to share.
March 19, 2011
My daughter Kassidy is in Miss Shanahans 1st grade class in Enfield. I wish to let the family know that Kassidy loved Miss Shanahan very much and talked about her daily during our "family time" around the dinner table. Kassidy loved her very much......You are in our thoughts and prayers. The Rhodes Family, Enfield
March 19, 2011
My daughter Kassidy is in Miss Shanahans 1st grade class in Enfield. I wish to let the family know that Kassidy loved Miss Shanahan very much and talked about her daily during our "family time" around the dinner table. Kassidy loved her very much...... You are in our thoughts and prayers. Rhodes family, Enfield
March 19, 2011
Dear Justin and Shanahan Family,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. You and your family are in my prayers. May God Bless you all.
Mrs. Betty Caruso
Carolyn Fedo
March 19, 2011
Linda and family: I was so deeply saddened to hear of Karen's passing. I have all of you in my thoughts and prayers. If there is anything I can do for you please call me. Love, Carolyn
Carmon Funeral Homes, Inc.
March 19, 2011
With deepest sympathy during this time of difficulty.
Amber Hurrle
March 19, 2011
Dear Shanahan family, my deepest condolences. I am so very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you all.
Laurey O'Charek
March 19, 2011
Linda,Myra,Justin and Family,
I was so saddenend to hear about Karen.
My Deepest Condolence go out to you All.
My Prayers & Thoughts are with All of You.
Anne Walker
March 18, 2011
My Daughter went to school with Justin and a party at their house . I got to talk to Karen a few times when we would meet in town and felt her love and caring. She really was special. I am glad to have known her and sorry that she was taken away so young. Justin, I will keep you and Mom in my thoughts and prayers.
Adam Bushey
March 18, 2011
Dear justin and shanahan family,
Im so very sorry to hear of your loss. i cant even begin to imagine what you all must be going through. i did not have the opportunity to meet mrs. shanahan but i go to school with justin. again im so very sorry to hear about your loss. i hope you all can be strong through this difficult time. my family and i would like to express to you that if there is anything you need, we are just a phone call away.
Sondra Demski
March 18, 2011
As a parent to one of her many students and as a co-worker of hers at Nathan Hale school, I was blessed to have known such a sweet and caring person.
Deepest sympathies to Justin and family.
March 18, 2011
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Karen's passing, I have fond memories of her from high school, my thoughts are prayers are with her whole family.
Nicky Halladay Prince
LuAnn Lanzieri
March 18, 2011
Justin and Family,
Our hearts are just broken to hear about Miss Shanahan. Our daughter Ryley was her student last year and always talks about how she was her favorite teacher. She helped Ryley go through family loss of our own. She will be forever remembered as a gentle soul, kind hearted and soft spoken. She touched many lives in such a positive way. The students all loved her... I know my daughter certainly did. She wrote on her heart at school "Miss Shanahan never yelled". You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Most sincerely,
LuAnn, Joe and Ryley Lanzieri
Patrick and Barbara Higgins
March 18, 2011
Our very deepest sympathies go out to Linda, Justin and the whole Shanahan family for the loss of your beloved daughter, mother and sister, Karen. We remember Karen as a sweet teenager when we last lived on Niles Rd. She grew into a beautiful young woman and a devoted mother and teacher, clearly an inspiration to many. Our prayers are with you all.
Colleen & Dan Dowd
March 18, 2011
Linda and Family we were so sorry to hear of your loss. Karen was an inspiration to many. Just know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Colleen and Dan Dowd
Tony Brown
March 18, 2011
we are truly sorry to have lost Mrs Shanahan, our deepest and sincerest regrets goes to your entire family, Mrs Shanahan will be truly missed, we will continue to pray for justin and the rest of you, please do not hesitate to give me a call if there is ever anything i can do thank you! my daughter Lydia Brown is so so sad, but she is deeply concerned for her teachers son justin
March 18, 2011
What a great loss. She was our daughter's 1st grade teacher 8 years ago. What a wonderful human being. We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers go out to your family. She was one of my daughter's favorite teachers. Albert family-Enfield, Ct
Kelly Rioux
March 18, 2011
My daughter Makayla was a student of Karens, as well as my older daughter attending school with Justin. Karen was a wonderful teacher and mother. Our thoughts and payers go out to the family.
Mary Foote
March 18, 2011
Deepest sympathies to Karen's family and to Justin. You have lost a great person, I am truly saddened by her passing. My daughter Jordyn had her as a teacher last year. Her smile will be missed when we go to the school assemblies. Jordyn has said she is in her heart, she has made a great impact on a lot of children and a very caring person. I am honored to have has her as my daughter's teacher. May she rest in paradise- Mary Foote and family.
Paul Cormier
March 18, 2011
Our deepest sympathies to the Shanahan family. We had the priviledge of knowing her and having her as a teacher. She will be missed and in our thoughts and prayers. The Cormier family.
Dr. & Mrs Lawrence Ierardi
March 18, 2011
Our Grandaughter, Ryley, was one of Karen's students this school year and Ryley thought of Karen as her favorite teacher. To have such an influence on a child is an honor for a teacher. Karen, you will be greatly missed.
March 18, 2011
Karen was such a wonderful teacher and inspiration to our daughter. She made the learning experience exciting and meaningful. Ariana said ,"i love you" andhugged her everyday and that meant so much to her and us. We knew she was in good hands. Prayers to the family
Parlante/Salerno Family
Sherry DiSalvo
March 18, 2011
My family and I are so deeply saddened over the sudden passing of Karen. Both of my boys had her for their teacher. She was absolutely amazing. She was dedicated, caring, passionate and you could see how much she wanted her students to succeed. I know both my both have been blessed by being her students and her impact on them will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We are so sorry for this loss of her. Her son Justin, Mom and her family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Sherry, Russ, Maeghen, Nicolas, Joshua, and Brandon DiSalvo
Michelle M. Murphy, Dir. of Communications, Northwest Catholic High School
March 18, 2011
On behalf of Principal/Chief Administrator Margaret Williamson and the entire Northwest Catholic High School community, I offer my very deepest sympathy on the passing of Karen Shanahan '97. She and her brother, Sean Shanahan '95, are cherished members of our school family, and our hearts are broken along with all of you -- especially her beloved son. Please know that, in the days and weeks to come, we will keep Justin, Karen, and everyone who loved her very specially in our schoolwide prayers. We are so, so sorry for your loss.
John and Christine Powers
March 18, 2011
Ms Shanahan was such a wonderful person and an amazing teacher. Our daughter had the privilege of having her last year. This is a great loss and she will be hugely missed by all. Thank you Ms Shanahan for all that you did for all the children of Nathan Hale, you mad a huge difference in the world!
Alvey & Eyleen Blier
March 18, 2011
Our deepest sympathies go out to Mrs. Shanahan's family. My daughter Madison adored her. She was an amazing teacher and all of her students are very lucky that she was a part of their lives. We are all better for having known her. She will be deeply missed by the Nathan Hale family.
Katie Williams
March 18, 2011
My deepest stmpathies go to everyone who knew Karen. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
~Katie Williams.
Robert and Jenn Casey
March 18, 2011
Our deepest sympathy goes out to your family. My daughter Kyla was very fortunate to have Ms. Shanahan has her teacher this year. She is and will be very deeply missed by my daughter and all her other wonderful students and parents from Nathan Hale School. We are all very saddened by this great loss.
Tower Family
March 18, 2011
Our deepest sympathies go out to Ms. Shanahan's family. She was a wonderfull teacher who brought joy to her students.
Tessia Hunt
March 18, 2011
Ms Shanahan will be missed.She was such a sweet an loving teacher to my daughter Jermani.We will miss her dearly.My prayer goes out to Justin an the rest of her family.I'm glad to have known such a wonderful teacher.
John and Jen Hinckley
March 18, 2011
Our deepest Sympathy goes out to your family.Our children were very fortunate to have the opportunity to have Ms. Shanahan as their teacher.She will deeply missed by the parents and students from the Nathan Hale School.
Sheila Cyr
March 18, 2011
Dear Sue, I am so sorry to hear of your sisters passing. You and Your Family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May God Bless all of you.
Sheila Cyr
Jennifer Stone
March 18, 2011
Justin,
We are so sorry to hear of your Mom's death. We are one of the lucky families from Nathan Hale school to have had the opportunity to know your Mom and have her as a teacher. She will be dearly missed by all and is now our angel above us.
Eric, Jennifer, Erin, Aidan, Olivia & Emma Stone
Alexis Taupier
March 18, 2011
Ms. Shanahan will be missed.She was a great teacher to me and all of my fellow classmates.My love goes out to the family.
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