Shannon Lea Ward

Shannon Lea Ward 9/11/64 ~ 4/19/05 Our beautiful, cherished daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and cousin passed away unexpectedly from natural causes, April 19 in Salt Lake City. Shannon was born in Tucson, Arizona and moved with her family to Salt Lake City in 1971, where she attended local schools through junior high. She graduated from high school in La Canada, CA in 1982 and briefly attended junior college in Los Angeles. She returned to Salt Lake City, the place she always considered home, in 1990. For a short time she worked on research projects at the U of U dept. of Anesthesiology - an experience she thoroughly enjoyed. Her true calling, however, was massage therapy and in 1993 she graduated from the Utah School of Massage Therapy. She also completed training as an aesthetician. Shannon was truly a unique individual. She loved her family, her beloved cat, Sam, who shared so much of her life, Rock 'n Roll music, the beautiful mountains, and her teddy bear collection. She was creative and enjoyed working in "found object" and montage art. She was bright, intuitive, perceptive, and had a flair for the dramatic and a devastating sense of humor. Shannon was special person, an indomitable spirit and indelible presence for those who knew her. She had loving heart and a caring free spirit. She will be forever loved and missed. Survived by her devoted parents Bruce and Jan Ward of Phoenix, Arizona, formerly of Salt Lake City; brother Sean of Portland, Oregon; grandmother Donna Aalbu of Buhl, Idaho; locally by uncle and aunt Erik and Linda Ward; and cousins Lindy Vandyke, Amy and Michael Ward of Ogden. Survivors also include many loving aunts, uncles and cousins across the country. A family memorial was held at Sundance, April 30. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Shannon's name to the Humane Society.