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James Shannon - Class of 1957

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 20/Feb/2025
97.124.228.127

    James "Jim" R. Shannon, 85, of Middletown, MD, passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2025, in the care of Frederick Health Hospice. Born on October 22, 1939, at Saint Luke's Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh, NY, Jim was the son of the late James Shannon and Elizabeth Stewart.

Jim was raised in Newburgh, New York and graduated from Newburgh Free Academy Class of 1957 and attended Niagara University. In 1964, Jim received his Bachelor of Arts with a major in Chemistry and Classic Languages. He went on to study theology and received a Licentiate in Theology at The University of St. Thomas in Rome, Italy in 1968.

Jim relocated to Washington, DC, where he attended Catholic University, School of Social Work, and met his wife of 52 years, Rosaline "Rose" Shannon. Jim and Rose married on June 2, 1973, in a small, beautiful ceremony at Walker Chapel United Methodist Church.

After graduate school, Jim worked as caseworker at Children's Hospital National Medical Center in Washington, DC, followed by Child Welfare Services Institutional Placement of Adolescents in Montgomery County, Maryland. Jim worked for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Services in Montgomery County for 36 years. After he retired, Jim taught as an adjunct professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Jim was an avid reader and gardener. He enjoyed reading fiction novels and the local newspaper. He supported any athletic team that his daughters played for or coached and could always be seen standing in the rain on the sidelines, behind the score keepers table maintaining the books or in the audience watching his grandson perform in theater.

In addition to his wife Rose, Jim is survived by his daughters Liz and Allie (Thomas); his grandson, Haidyn; his brothers David (Chris) and Michael Shannon; his sister Loretta Klein, and several nieces and nephews.

Jim truly lived a life of service to others and was dedicated to his profession, family and friends. Whether it was teaching, coaching, watching his daughters play sports or talking to neighbors as he worked in the garden, Jim loved to be around others and he will be missed for his kindness and sense or humor.

Jim elected to donate his body to science through Anatomy Gifts Registry. The family has chosen to honor Jim in a small private ceremony. If desired, memorial offerings may be made to Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick or Frederick Health Hospice. James "Jim" Shannon
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Published by The Frederick News-Post from Feb. 21 to Feb. 20, 2025.

I remember Jim from high school. He. was one of the nicest people I knew. I have a picture of him and Jim Brady on my front porch in Newburgh. I was having a party with pizza made by my mother. We had such a wonderful group of friends. My prayers to his family.