Thelma Agnes Shannon left us on November 29, 2012 after living a full and active life for 87 years. Always active and on the go, Thelma’s heart condition finally forced her to slow down the last few months of her life. She died peacefully in her sleep at home.

Thelma was born on September 2, 1925 in St. Louis to Edgar and Adelaide Brandes, Sr. She graduated from Beaumont High School in 1943 and subsequently attended Rubicon Business School. Thelma worked as a secretary and then as a sales clerk for J. C. Penney Department Store at Northwest Plaza in Bridgeton, Missouri.

Thelma married Paul A. Shannon, Jr. on June 8, 1946 in St. Louis. They shared 51 happy years together until Paul’s death and he never stopped being the love of her life. Thelma’s commitment to love and marriage has been an inspiration to her family. Paul’s work took them abroad to Japan and Hawaii where they lived and raised their family for many years. They loved to travel throughout the United States and also toured Italy, Ireland and Egypt. Family ties were always important and eventually they returned to make their permanent home in Bridgeton, Missouri. After an illness and hospitalization Thelma moved to the Naomi House Independent Living Community in Bridgeton where she enjoyed making new friends and staying active. She especially enjoyed participating with the exercise groups and the bell choir. Thelma’s independent spirit led her to move again to a senior apartment villa in St. Charles, Missouri with its peaceful surroundings of trees and birds. Friendly and outgoing, Thelma easily made new friends wherever she went. But new friends quickly learned, just as family knew, that they were not to call at 11:00 when “The Price Is Right” was on the television. Thelma loved her game shows.

Thelma also loved nature and the outdoors and the family had many happy times together canoeing and swimming in the Ozarks. Thelma continued to swim into her later years and was an active member of the Bridgeton Community Center.

Thelma’s Catholic faith was very important to her and she attended St. Blaise Catholic Church and then attended services at the Sarah Community in Bridgeton until her move to St. Charles. Good deeds were also important to Thelma and she continued to be involved in charitable activities until her death. She loved being part of The Kitchen Band and bringing music and joy to people confined to nursing homes. She was concerned about the future of our youth and tutored many years for the Pattonville School District Oasis program.

Family was everything to Thelma. She took the time to let every child, grandchild and great grandchild know that they were equally special, loved and important to her. She brought the family together with her famous parties and was a great hostess and matron of games. But family and friends had to be on their guard because Thelma’s gaming rules were known to change at any time. She was feisty, outspoken and liked to win. This is a warning to her card playing cronies in Heaven.

Thelma will be missed by her children Michael (Rebecca) Shannon of St. Charles, Missouri, Susan (Mattie Naugles) Schlesinger of Overland, Missouri, Sharon (Lee Sperry) Shannon of Port Townsend, Washington, Rebecca (Jeffrey) Buchanan of Franklin, Tennessee; her grandchildren Lisa Arndt, Matt Shannon, Jenny Shannon, Elizabeth Benson, Michele Schlesinger, Jason Schlesinger, Heather Schlesinger, Meghan Schlesinger, Nathan Schlesinger, Towenza Fane, Karma Shannon, Orion Shannon, and Theresa Buchanan; 12 great grandchildren; brother Edgar Brandes, Jr.; cousins; nieces and nephews; and friends.

Preceding Thelma in death and greeting her in Heaven are her parents Adelaide and Edgar Brandes, Sr., her beloved husband Paul, her brother Raymond Brandes, her sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and John Finocchiaro, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Billy and Pat Crews, her sister-in-law Ann Brandes and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be on Monday December 10 from 09:00 to 10:00 AM in the chapel adjacent to St. Peter Church at 221 First Capitol Drive, St. Charles, Missouri. A funeral mass will follow at 10:00 AM in the church. Interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with her beloved husband Paul. May they rest in peace together through eternity.

Thanks to Crossroads Hospice for helping Thelma during her illness. Family members were able to provide care for her with love, compassion and dignity during her final months at home. Special thanks to all her friends and family that meant so much to her during her lifetime.

Flowers may be sent to her home in St. Charles or donations may be made in her honor to a charity of your choice.

AFTERGLOW

I’d like the memory of me

to be a happy one,

I’d like to leave an afterglow

of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo

whispering softly down the ways,

of happy times and laughing times

and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve,

to dry before the sun of happy memories

that I leave behind when day is done.

By Helen Lowrie Marshall