JOAN SHANNON

SHANNON Joan Shannon (Age 93) Joan was a dancer. As a teenager in New Jersey and New York City, she studied modern dance under Martha Graham. Rather than joining Graham's company, she chose to go to Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. While at Antioch, she was asked to teach modern dance classes, and met William G. Shannon, the returning vet who became her husband for 68 years. Joan was born Jewish and Bill was Maronite Catholic; both their families came together to support them. The two married in 1947 and first lived in New York. From their wedding day until the day of her death, both families celebrated holidays together. On December 26, 1958, Joan, Bill and their two young children moved into an old farmhouse in Kensington, MD where Joan still resided when she died exactly 60-years later. Joan taught modern dance at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Church for more than 50 years. At least two generations of women owe their love of modern dance to her skills at teaching with compassion and enthusiasm. She also had a passion for human rights. Among many other efforts, Joan participated in the 1963 civil rights March on Washington, led the integration of the Cedarbrook Swimming and Tennis Club, and started the first integrated Boy Scout troop in Montgomery County. Her guiding principle was always to look for the good in each person. She believed in giving of herself in support of others so they could thrive and flourish. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, who died in 2015. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Shannon Hsu (Jean-Pierre), her son, Jeffrey Shannon (Salley), five grandchildren, Jessica Roth (Collins), Benjamin Shannon (Megan), Bradford Shannon, Marielle Hsu (Neil Cole-Filipiak) and Liliane Hsu. Also, four great-grandchildren, Isabella, Charlotte, William and Penn Roth, her sister-in-law, Adrienne Lesser and 13 much-loved nieces and nephews. Along with her family's loving attention, for more than four years she received warm, compassionate, full-time care from Quality Care Services. Montgomery Hospice provided additional tender support for her final months. A celebration of Joan's life will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in her name to the Encampment for Citizenship (encampmentforcitizenship.org), a social justice program Joan and Bill supported that empowers young people to make a positive difference in their communities.A celebration of Joan's life will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in her name to the Encampment for Citizenship (encampmentforcitizenship.org), a social justice program Joan and Bill supported that empowers young people to make a positive difference in their communities.