Shannon Sullivan O'Brien's Obituary
Shannon Sullivan O’Brien, beloved wife, mother, daughter, educator and friend, passed away peacefully and into the loving arms of Her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 22, 2017. Shannon was born in San Antonio, Texas on July 3, 1963. Her family moved to Richardson, Texas when Shannon was 4 years old. Shannon attended Richardson schools and graduated from JJ Pearce High School in 1981. Following graduation, Shannon attended and earned a degree in Education from Texas Tech University in 1985. While in college, Shannon was a proud member of the Chi Omega Sorority, where she served in numerous leadership positions. Upon graduation, Shannon immediately returned to Richardson and followed her lifelong calling to be an educator. In 1988, Shannon was introduced to the love of her life, Steve, by of all people, their mothers, who were friends from Church. Shannon and Steve were married July 20, 1990 at All Saints Catholic Church. Soon, Shannon became the proud mother of the two greatest gifts in her life, Michael and Katie (Irish twins). She loved her family with all her heart and she always placed the needs of her family above her own. She was a selfless wife and mother who would do anything for anyone without fail. Shannon loved attending any and all events or activities of her children and was most proud of seeing both her children graduate college with Masters degrees. During her 32 years in the Richardson ISD, Shannon served in numerous positions and schools. Shannon began her career as an elementary school teacher. She then moved into the gifted program as an elementary REACH (gifted and talented program) teacher. When her own children started elementary school, Shannon returned to the classroom as a 6th grade teacher so that she could teach and mentor her own children and their friends. Known to all as Mrs. O’B, this was a very rewarding experience for her to have her children and their friends in her classroom. She was a demanding, but fair and loving teacher who wanted the best, not only for her own kids, but all the kids. Shannon then moved on to the Junior High level where she was an Instructional Specialist and AVID coordinator. During her time as an Instructional Specialist, she helped mentor the new teachers and write curriculum. Shannon really enjoyed assisting the new teachers as they began their careers by passing on her wisdom and passion for education. One of the most rewarding aspects of her career was dealing with, as she called them, her AVID kids. As the AVID coordinator, Shannon excelled at preparing these traditionally underrepresented students for success in high school, college, and a career by assisting them with the development of their critical thinking, literacy and math skills. Shannon loved seeing her AVID kids succeed at the high school level and eventually attend college. Her commitment to all kids was unwavering. While at Parkhill Junior High, Shannon was honored by the District as a STARS teacher for outstanding service in 2009. She was extremely proud of this incredible honor. Shannon’s last few years in the District were spent as a GT (Gifted and Talented) Specialist where she was charged with establishing the Gifted Program in the secondary Schools. This was a new program for the District and she embraced the challenge and was very proud of the effort and accomplishments of all the GT teachers. Shannon’s love for education and kids never faded. Shannon was actively involved in the Richardson community having served as President of the Junior League of Richardson, a graduate of the Richardson Citizens Police Academy and her current involvement in both the Richardson-Plano Chi Omega Alumni group and the Pearce Community Women’s League, where she really enjoyed the monthly events from dinner club to Mah Jong to the travel. Shannon was a wonderful planner and party giver and took great pride and joy in hosting both family and friends at the house. Over the last few months, Shannon loved having her Thursday lunch group come visit her. We are very thankful and appreciative of all the prayers, love, personal visits, cards and the outpouring of support we received from the community over the last few months. You are all very special to us. Faith was very important to Shannon and her family. We are long time members of the All Saints Catholic Church Community. Shannon’s mantra over these last few months was choosing faith over fear and she passed knowing God has a special place for her in heaven. Shannon is survived by her husband of 27 years, Steve, children Michael and Katie, parents Charlotte and Skip Sullivan, brothers Hop (Holly) and Michael (Kim), sister-in-laws Ellen Barker (Alan) and Kelly Lopez (Bobby) and brother-in-law Dan O’Brien (Julie), mother-in-law Pat O’Brien and numerous nieces and nephews. Shannon is also survived by a wealth of friends, colleagues and students who admired her integrity, humility, generosity and thoughtfulness. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Rosary/Visitation – Tuesday, May 30th 6:00 – 8:00pm Restland Funeral Home. Funeral Mass – May 31st 11:00am at All Saints Catholic Church, 5231 Meadowcreek Dr., Dallas, TX 75248 with a reception immediately following. All friends and acquaintances are cordially invited to share in this celebration of Shannon’s life. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations will be graciously accepted to the Shannon Sullivan O’Brien Scholarship Fund to benefit deserving students so they may realize their college dreams. Donations may be made online at PCWL.org and clicking on the Shannon O’Brien Scholarship Fund under the donations tab or by mailing a check payable to PCWL, PO Box 863361, Richardson, TX 75083 and place Shannon O’Brien Scholarship in the memo. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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