Geraldine L. "Gerry" Shannon

Geraldine Shannon was truly a beautiful person, inside and out. She purposely looked for ways to give to others, always thinking of their needs before her own. Her caring nature and easy manner won her many friends who considered it a privilege to know her. A cherished mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, Geraldine did everything she could to support and encourage her loved ones. The early 1920s were a collage of interesting events. There were power struggles in Russia, Babe Ruth was setting baseball records, and the first Miss America was crowned. But for most of the people living in the bustling city of Muskegon, Michigan, such happenings were nothing more than headlines in a newspaper. Their lives centered around raising their families and earning a living. This was the life of Chester and Lily Ann Ryder. While Chester worked as a streetcar conductor and dabbled in real estate, Lily Ann cared for their home and her mother and twin sister. In the summer of 1921, the couple excitedly prepared for a new addition to their family, and on May 27th, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Geraldine. Three years later, Geraldine became a big sister with the birth of Barbara. Gerry, as she was called, enjoyed a typical childhood of the time. She shared a very close relationship with her Dad, and was the apple of his eye. As a young girl, she was an avid reader and had a soft spot for animals, particularly dogs Gerry had such a sweet, bubbly personality that endeared everyone to her, making for many lifelong friendships. She received her education in the Muskegon Public Schools, Gerry was an excellent student while participating in many school activities. During her high school years, Gerry was a big fan of her schools football team, attending every game with her high school sweetheart,Thomas Shannon. Shortly after Gerry and Tom graduated from Muskegon High in 1939, they eloped to Indiana and were happily married on November 18, 1939. A year later, Gerry and her family suffered a tremendous loss when her father died of a sudden heart attack. Over the next couple of years, as Gerry and Tom settled into married life together, they welcomed the births of two beautiful daughters, Nancy and Sally. By this time, the United States was fully engulfed in World War II, and Tom soon followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time (including his brother), and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Meanwhile, Gerry and her two daughters moved in with her mom and helped in the family grocery store. The fact that she was living with her mom, Gerry was able to get away on a short visit to Pittsburgh to see Tom. After his military discharge, Tom returned home to his family and went to work at Continental Motors. He and Gerry also completed their family with the births of two more wonderful children: daughter Jeri, and son, Mark. Because Toms job required a lot of traveling, Gerry continued to manage the home and raise the children, though she found that her son Mark was so very different from the girls, and so much more work. In 1960, the Shannons moved to Norton Shores. The children loved Lake Michigan, where they centered many of their activities around. Gerry enjoyed having beautiful flower gardens around her home and gorgeous plants in the house, which her green thumb kept them looking amazing. She also loved being in the kitchen, cooking up something delicious and providing wonderful school lunches for her children. Family was always first in Gerrys heart and there wasnt anything she wouldnt do to help her loved ones. A devoted daughter, she took tender care of her mother and her mothers twin sister throughout their lives. After Gerry and Tom had an empty nest, they began traveling more extensively, and enjoyed having dinner out. To stay active, the couple golfed and bowled together. They both were also huge fans of the University of Michigan Wolverines and attended several games, even following them all the way to Hawaii. Gerry truly enjoyed volunteering in her community, including with the Hackley Hospital Auxiliary's coffee and gift shop and was also actively involved with the Womens Division of the Chamber of Commerce and Service League. Tom and Gerry belonged to numerous bridge clubs and also enjoyed gin rummy. They kept in touch with many of their high school friends and met once a month to have dinner, rotating between their homes. Of all the wonderful things in Gerry and Toms life, time spent with their grandchildren and great grandchildren towered above the rest. On Gerry and Toms 50th wedding anniversary, their children gave them a surprise party at the Century Club, which they cherished with all their hearts. Gerry lived a very simple life, yet it was a life that everyone around her couldnt help but admire. She was always selfless and abundantly generous with her time and deeply committed to everyone she knew and loved. When Tom suffered with many health problems and eventually lost his leg due to poor circulation, she tenderly cared for him until most of his health was restored. Then, in 2002, when Gerry was diagnosed with Alzheimers, Tom cared for his beloved wife until he couldnt do it alone anymore. They then moved to The Sorrell House in Grand Haven, where there was live in staff to help at any time. Perhaps after knowing that Gerry was in good hands, Tom passed away six months later. On Sunday, August 8, 2010, Geraldine Shannon passed away at home while surrounded by her family. She fought a courageous battle against a long-term illness and is now reunited with her husband in Heaven. Her family would like to express their extreme gratitude to the caregivers at the Sorrell House and Hospice of North Ottawa. Gerry is survived by her 3 daughters: Nancy (Frank) Cereska of Muskegon, Sally (Jacob, deceased) Funkhouser of Muskegon, Jeri (Reed) Masser of Montague; and her son, Mark (Evonne) Shannon of Houston, TX; 14 grandchildren: Anne Funkhouser Sheppard, Jacob (Faye) Funkhouser, Sarah (Steve) Barnard, Leanne (Marc) Southland, Frank D. (Sharon) Cereska, Rachel Cereska, Rebecca (Gregg) Svoboda, Teresa (Derek) Cereska-Jensen, Sarah Cereska, Nathan Cereska, Meghan (Sam) Lazerson, Emily (Rico) Strunk, Amanda Shannon, and David Shannon; 19 great grandchildren; sister, Barbara Tregoning; sisters-in-law, Helen Shannon of Muskegon and Pat (Lewis) Eriksen of TN; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her parents; son-in-law, Jacob Funkhouser; brothers-in-law, James Tregoning and Wilbert Shannon; and many close friends. Services will be on Thursday, August 12, at 11:00 a.m. in the Clock Chapel at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon with Rev. John Koedyker officiating. Visitation is on Thursday, 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Please visit Gerrys personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com where you may share a memory or sign the online guest book.