Mary Shannon Wilson

East Lyme - Mary Shannon Wilson, 82, of Niantic, and Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., died peacefully at home on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born on May 17, 1931, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of the late Margaret (Sheridan) Shannon and Fred J. Shannon. Mary was married to Steven E. Wilson on Aug. 7, 1954, and they were looking forward to celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year.

Together they raised and are survived by four very loving and talented children, Mark and daughter Carolyn; Steven and wife, Diane, and their three sons, Spencer, Patrick and Trent; Steven's daughter, Brittany; Valerie and husband, Seth; and Elizabeth. Mary is also survived by her sister, Carol Shannon Meyerhoff; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was predeceased by her brother, Donald and wife, Joan Ryan Shannon; brothers-in-law, Harry Meyerhoff, John O. Wilson III; sisters-in-law, Marge Smith (Wilson) and Lucille Wilson; niece, Catherine Smith Connolly; nephew, Kevin Shannon; and daughters-in-law, Wendy Willard Wilson and Sally Sosensky Wilson.

Mary and Steve raised their children in Bloomfield, prior to moving to Niantic. In Bloomfield, Mary was an active member of the Bloomfield Junior Womens Club and Christ the King Altar and Rosary Society. She was a lifetime member of the Bloomfield Historical Society. Mary and Steve have been parishoners of Sacred Heart Church of Bloomfield, St. Agnes Church of Niantic and the Church of the Ascension of Ft. Myers Beach, Fla.

Professionally, Mary was a member of the CT Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. She graduated from Longwood Academy, Chicago State University and earned her master's degree from the University of Hartford.

Mary taught school in Closter, N.J., and Syracuse, N.Y., prior to beginning her 25-year career in the city schools of Hartford. During her career, Mary coordinated the Reading Dept., the Hartford Effective Schools Initiative and became the director of the curriculum and staff development. Surrounded by her capable staff, Mary developed summer programs, remedial teaching teams, strengthened libraries and began incorporating educational technologies city wide.

In retirement, Mary and Steve wintered in Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., and enjoyed trips to Ireland, Alaska and Bermuda.

Mary fought an inspirational battle with ALS. Mary's family wishes to thank the ALS Foundation for the generous support she received from the Connecticut and Florida Chapters. The Center for Hospice Care of Southeastern Connecticut and Mary's home care assistants were indespensible to her comfort and peaceful passing at home.

There will be a Mass at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17, at St. Agnes Church, in Niantic. All other activities will be private.

Donations in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Center for Hospice Care of Southeast CT, 227 Dunham Street, Norwich, CT 06030.

The Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Condolence messages may be left on Mrs. Wilson's memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.