Shannon Richards

Shannon Richards, 82, died on October 19, 2024, after suffering for fourteen years with Parkinson's Disease. She spent the last week of her life, and died peacefully, at the SECU Jim and Betsy Bryan Hospice Home in Pittsboro, NC. Shannon was predeceased by her brother Jim and her son Dan. She is survived by her sister Susan Page (Mary Lou Transue); daughter Tracey Lee Jones (Kenneth Jones); son Erick Osborn; three grandchildren, Robin, Arbor and Comet; and one great granddaughter, Bella.Shannon was born in Woodstock, Illinois on February 8, 1942, the daughter of Howard and Alma Ballweg. The family moved to Detroit and then to Ann Arbor, where she raised her three children. She graduated from Oakland Community College, did further undergraduate work at Marygrove College, and received a MSW in Individual and Family Therapy from the University of Michigan. Her Social Work career included being a therapist at Huron Valley Child Guidance Clinic and at Bixby Adult Psychiatric Hospital. She retired from Washtenaw County Dept. of Public Health, where she supervised the Maternal Infant Health Program. For two years she facilitated a parenting group at Dawn Farm, a drug and alcohol treatment program in Ann Arbor, MI.In 2009, Shannon and Maureen O'Rourke, her partner for 35 years, moved to Chapel Hill to be close to Tracey and the grandchildren. They left a wonderful group of women in Ann Arbor, who enjoyed playing volleyball, as well as celebrating important events in each other's lives. After their move, they became members of the Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist. Both of these communities gave them a great deal of joy and love.In Chapel Hill, they quickly became chairs of the Interfaith Council Services Committee and helped serve meals and gather food donations for the needy. Shannon was also a member of the church's Caring Committee for many years. On March 14, 2015, Shannon and Maureen were married at the Community Church. Shannon called this one of the highlights of her life!!Shannon had a gentle spirit and a whimsical sense of humor. She loved working with folks with all different backgrounds, races, and sexual preferences. She was an excellent listener and met people where they were, without judgment or criticism. She loved telling of canoe trips on the French River in Canada -- ten days in bliss with ten women enjoying communion with one another. She loved playing the guitar and was a classical guitarist. A memorial service for Shannon will be held at the Community Church of Chapel Hill on Saturday, December 7 at 10:00 am. The family requests that instead of flowers, donations in Shannon's memory may be sent to the Interfaith Council of Chapel Hill (ifcweb.org) or to the Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist (www.c3huu.org).
Memorial Service
Saturday, December 7, 2024
10:00 AM -
Community Church of Chapel Hill
106 Purefoy Rd
Chapel Hill NC 27514
US
Funeral HomeCremation Society of the Carolinas
2205 East Millbrook Road
Raleigh NC - 27604
US
(919) 571-3300
(919) 877-0207
(800) 993-5333 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Shannon, please visit our Tree Store.