Doris L. Shannahan

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Doris L. Shannahan, age 104, formerly of Warwick, died on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 in Palo Alto, California. She was the wife of the late John J. Shannahan, who died in 1994.

She was born in Providence on June 23, 1915, to Richard and Fanny Lang and was an only child. Doris (Dot) lived in Providence during her youth and young married life, and in 1948 she and John moved to Chatham Village in Warwick, where they lived among wonderful neighbors and friends for many years, she for 68 years. Following a joyful 100th birthday celebration, she relocated to California to be near her daughter and son.

Doris and John were married for 52 years, devoted to each other and their family. Despite John working in Boston and commuting, they loved their lives in Warwick. As a homemaker and young mother, she was active in all the traditional activities of the PTA, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and took painting lessons for over 30 years. She was a member of St Mark’s Episcopal Church since her arrival in Warwick and a participant in the Altar Guild. In 1952 she was one of the founding members of the Chatham Village Garden Club, an organization she dearly loved and remained as an honorary member up until her death. She was also a long-term member of Warwick Country Club, where she had many years of enjoyment with lifelong friends.

Doris lived life fully. Her family and friends were her focus and passion and where she found an abundance of joy and contentment. She was a loving, kind, generous and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be greatly missed by all.

The Shannahan family wishes to acknowledge Myrna Ababa, her kind, loving, compassionate caregiver and companion for several years prior to her death. Myrna made a significant difference in Doris’s later years, and we are very grateful.

She leaves her children, Peter L. Shannahan (Mary) of Tiburon, California and Jane E. Shannahan of Palo Alto; her grandchildren, Amanda Shannahan Moore (James) of Sydney, Australia and Nicholas Shannahan (Kira) of Palo Alto; and her great-granddaughter, Scarlett West Moore. She the mother of J. Mark Shannahan, who preceded her in death in 1993.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 22 at 9 a.m. from Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Ave., Warwick, with a Requiem Eucharist at 10 a.m. in St Mark’s Episcopal Church, 111 West Shore Road, Warwick. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, Jan. 21 from 4-7 p.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Greenwich.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in her memory to the charity of your choice. Visit www.barrettandcotter.com.