Fern L. Shannon

Fern L. Shannon of Glen Ellyn, age 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 7th, 2026. Devoted wife the late John Jr. Shannon; Loving mother of Johnny (JoAnn), Jimmy (Mary Catherine), Jill Weaver (Rick Landmeier), Patrick (Christine), Jacqueline Shannon (Allan Margolin), Julie Brown and Jennifer Shannon; gentle grandmother of Shannon, Karly Shannon (Chris Cordon), Kaitlin, Shea, Alex (Amber) Weaver, Makenna, Riley, Nikolai, Anya & Izzy; Great-grandmother of Kelsay and Brandon and Aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents Mary & James Mangan, and many sisters and brothers. 

Visitation 4 - 8 pm on Wednesday, March 11th at Leonard Memorial Home, 565 Duane Street. Remembrance service Thursday at the funeral home at 10:30 AM and interment after at Forest Hill Cemetery, corner of St. Charles and Riford Roads, Glen Ellyn.

Fern Shannon (Mangan), born in Chicago, Illinois in 1936 to James and Mary Mangan, passed away peacefully surrounded by love. She was the sixth of ten children. 

Fern met the love of her life, John Shannon, Jr. 73 years ago. They married in 1955 and lived in Paris, France while he was stationed with the U.S. Army before returning to Illinois to begin their family. Together they raised seven children and were later blessed with ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They spent most of their married life in Glen Ellyn.

Fern was an incredibly hardworking and talented woman. While still in high school she earned her cosmetology diploma and was honored with the Betty Crocker 'Homemaker of Tomorrow' award and several awards in home economics. She worked at an elite Chicago salon before dedicating her life to raising her children and caring for her growing family, helping support her husband's Shannon's Insulation business, and always volunteering in and leading various school and parish activities at St. James the Apostle School and church in Glen Ellyn where her children attended grammar school.  

Fern, an eternal optimist, was a selfless caregiver who always put others first — her children, her grandchildren, her extended family, her friends, and even people she had just met. She had a special gift for comforting others, offering wisdom, baking or cooking something wonderful, or simply listening when someone needed it most.

Fern will always be remembered for her beauty, generosity of heart, strength and courage, grace and style, her unwavering devotion to family and community, and for making others feel seen, and loved. Her gentle spirit, compassion, and concern for those who were suffering touched countless lives.

Fern, Mom, Grandma, Aunt Fern, and friend to many.....you will be forever loved and deeply missed. We are comforted knowing you are at peace dancing in heaven with the love of your life, and continuing to share beauty and joy with your parents, siblings, relatives, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fern’s memory to Glen House Food Pantry https://www.glenhousefoodpantry.org/ or charity supporting families in need.

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