Virginia A. Shannon

WORCESTER- Virginia "Ginny" A. (Prior) Shannon, 70, beloved wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, died Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at Rose Monahan Hospice Home after an illness and with her loving family by her side.

She was born in Worcester, daughter of Arthur H. and Margaret (Minns) Prior and graduated from St. Peter's High School. Ginny continued on to Worcester State College where she earned a degree in elementary education. She taught first grade at Downing Street School and after many years at home with her children, returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher for Worcester Public Schools.

Ginny was a longtime and active parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Church. She was also active with The Compassionate Friends, an organization she held close to her heart after the death of her daughter Kerry in 1993 at the young age of five. Ginny was a member of the LAOH, enjoyed listening to Irish music and was very proud of her Irish heritage. She spent many years at Irish step dancing competitions with her daughters and enjoyed her many trips to Ireland with Martin and her family. Ginny loved music and passed this along to her son, a musician. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed spending time at the beach, especially Corporation Beach in Dennis.

Ginny will be dearly missed by her beloved husband of nearly 42 years, Martin A. Shannon and their children; Timothy J. Shannon of Salem, Megan M. Collins and her husband Daniel of Norwell and Colleen M. Shannon and her husband Noah Weiskoff of Beverly and her grandson, Aidan Collins. She was eagerly awaiting the birth of her second grandson in June. Ginny also leaves a brother, Robert Prior of Worcester, a sister-in-law, Eileen Prior, as well as many nephews and nieces including, Katherine Prior and Colm, Sean, Sarah and Lorcan Shannon and several others in Ireland.

Virginia's funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 29th from Callahan Fay & Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle Street with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am at Blessed Sacrament Church, 551 Pleasant Street. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Visiting hours to celebrate Virginia's life will be held on Tuesday, May 28th from 5:00 until 7:00 pm. Flowers are welcome. Contributions in Ginny's memory may also be made to Rose Monahan Hospice Home, 10 Judith Road, Worcester, MA 01602.