Motta, Shannon Eileen Murphy

of San Tan Valley, Arizona, formerly of Chicago Heights, Illinois, raised in Caruthersville, Missouri, died at age 71 on January 15, 2021 at home surrounded by family. Shannon is survived by her husband of 49 funloving years, Len, along with her children Meredith (Rudy) Jaramillo; Hilary (Joseph) LoBue; and grandchildren Hayden, Evan, Sage, Brandon and Megan. She is further survived by her brothers and sisters, Maureen (Ron) Korabik, Brian (Annette) Murphy, Kevin Murphy and Kathleen (Larry) Payton. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edna Catherine and Richard Murphy. Shannon and Len met at the University of Albuquerque in 1967. Shannon received her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Missouri, Phi Beta Kappa. They were married in 1971 in Caruthersville, Missouri. They moved to Chicago Heights to raise their two wonderful daughters and enjoyed a loving life filled with adventurous family vacations. Shannon was a supportive, loving, and caring wife and mother. Shannon’s professional career included director of development at the Court Theatre in Chicago; director of corporate contributions at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago; director of development at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago; director of major gifts at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago; vice president of development at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois; and director of major gifts at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Shannon retired in 2009 and enjoyed traveling with her loving husband, Len, throughout the United States. Their trip to South America was one of their favorite adventures, which included Brazil, Argentina and Chile, where they drank whiskey from frozen mugs in an ice cave. Shannon enjoyed hiking outdoors in the Rocky Mountains, Maine—specifically Cadillac Mountain—and exploring the deserts of Arizona. Through their travels they visited many national parks in the United States. Shannon enjoyed sharing her love for the outdoors and the arts with her five grandchildren. She planned a special trip to New York City for all five grandchildren seeing Broadway shows, museums, various musical performances and the Statue of Liberty. The grandchildren loved sleepovers and New Year’s Eve celebrations at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Due to COVID-19, there will be no memorial service at this time. In lieu of flowers, we would prefer donations in Shannon’s memory to: ALS Association,ALS.org, National Park Foundation

Sign Guest Book at legacy.suntimes.com