Shannon Marie Kerns
October 20, 1970 ~ September 18, 2018
Shannon Marie Kerns, 47, suddenly and tragically died on Sunday, September 2, 2018 at her home in Fairfax, VA.
Shannon was born October 20, 1970, in Camden, NJ to Francis Cooney and Frances Cooney. She was devoted to her two aunts Catherine Dooley and Mary Gustavson who encouraged her from a young age to follow her dreams and creativity. Shannon did just that, graduating from high school and later college at Towson State with a degree in elementary education, later moving to Northern Virginia where she established herself as a bright and extraordinary teacher who captivated, delighted and educated her students, and made lasting bonds with friends and colleagues.
Shannon's greatest love were her two children Catherine and Collin Kerns- whom she shared with her spouse Michael Kerns. Shannon had an unwavering and heightened ability to experience, and exhibit emotion whereupon when she was happy she was the happiest person in the world - when concerned, she had the greatest and deepest concern, and when excited the most exhilarating and passionate excitement. With love, few had ever loved deeper - Shannon felt great love for her God, for dearest friends and family - but none more than that for her daughter Cassie and Son Collin - her most valuable and treasured children.
Shannon will be dearly missed by loved ones and by this small and flawed world which was unable to contain her boundless spirit.
A memorial service and celebration of Shannon's life will be held at Floris United Methodist Church (13600 Frying Pan Rd, Herndon, VA 20171) on September 28, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, condolences may be sent to 8704 Duvall St. Fairfax VA, 22031.
Shannon was born October 20, 1970, in Camden, NJ to Francis Cooney and Frances Cooney. She was devoted to her two aunts Catherine Dooley and Mary Gustavson who encouraged her from a young age to follow her dreams and creativity. Shannon did just that, graduating from high school and later college at Towson State with a degree in elementary education, later moving to Northern Virginia where she established herself as a bright and extraordinary teacher who captivated, delighted and educated her students, and made lasting bonds with friends and colleagues.
Shannon's greatest love were her two children Catherine and Collin Kerns- whom she shared with her spouse Michael Kerns. Shannon had an unwavering and heightened ability to experience, and exhibit emotion whereupon when she was happy she was the happiest person in the world - when concerned, she had the greatest and deepest concern, and when excited the most exhilarating and passionate excitement. With love, few had ever loved deeper - Shannon felt great love for her God, for dearest friends and family - but none more than that for her daughter Cassie and Son Collin - her most valuable and treasured children.
Shannon will be dearly missed by loved ones and by this small and flawed world which was unable to contain her boundless spirit.
A memorial service and celebration of Shannon's life will be held at Floris United Methodist Church (13600 Frying Pan Rd, Herndon, VA 20171) on September 28, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, condolences may be sent to 8704 Duvall St. Fairfax VA, 22031.
Service
Floris United Methodist Church13600 Frying Pan Road
Herndon, Virginia 20171
September 28, 2018
11:00 AM
I send my love and prayers to her family during this difficult time.May all of the good memories always stay with them and help them heal from such a great loss.
With the deepest sadness I say, “Good bye.” Love you so much. Aunt Maryellyn
Words can’t describe the sadness I’m feeling..you reached out to me on Sept 2 and I faltered as a friend..I thought for sure you were going away .. I didn’t think it was to be permanent .. I know you were tired darling.. tired of the fight .. I just wish you would have called me again so I could talk you over this bump in the road and made you see the whole picture.. but you were fast and had your mind set .. I promise with everything I have we will make sure your children remember the amazing mom you were.. I will never forget you or our friendship.. the amazing times we had.. the laughter when we were all together. I know you are flying high with the angels.. at peace.. All your friends in Jersey are sad and we will just miss your spirit that lights up a room . We will hold our memories deep in our hearts. We love you and we won’t ever forget
Coons, I will miss you and your laughter and how you always called me by my full name when we talked. I will miss how we would talk crap about those horrendous teachers we had at St. Pete’s. I wish we could talk just one more time. I will miss you. Sleep in peace my friend. Rest in power.
Coons, I will miss you and your laughter and how you always called me by my full name when we talked. I will miss how we would talk crap about those horrendous teachers we had at St. Pete’s. I wish we could talk just one more time. I will miss you. Sleep in peace my friend. Rest in power. Hey
Sending healing thoughts & comforting prayers – have fond memories of Shannon when we were younger! Our family has another angel in heaven!
Sorry for your loss… my heart & prayers are with you and your family
Fran, Mike and children – so sorry for your precious loss. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you. God speed and may God Bless all of you and keep you strong during this time and always.
To Cassie & Colin. I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet and wonderful mom. We were friends for 20 years and I loved her so much. She will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you two and your family.
So incredibly sad to hear about Shannon. I Will be Keeping Mike, Cassie and Colin along with all of Shannon’s family and friends in my thoughts. May the loving memories you shared stay with you always and help you through this difficult time.
Very sorry to hear of this recent loss, these times we live in can be truly hard to deal with. But the God of all comfort will soon rescue us all from our sufferings.
I was Shannon’s friend in college. We lost touch. She just came up in a memory today on FB and I went to check her profile and saw it was “Remembering”- I am in shock and so sad for the loss of this amazing light in my college life. She is remembered with much love, heart and soul! Everything with Shannon was the best! I have so much love to share from my time with her and so many fun pictures. I am so heart broken to hear of her passing. Please reach out if I can ever offer any love to you or her wonderful family. I would be thrilled to share the stories of her. With love- shelli (aka Shells and cheese from Shannon)
Justine – I was Shannons friend from Towson and we were dorm mates in Prettyman dorm. She was an amazing light in my life and we lost touch and I just discovered her passing today. Love her so very much! I am so very sorry to hear this. I am happy to share at any time love of her to any of her friends or family. I pray she is resting in peace. i am just heart broken to hear of her passing. please reach out if you can.
It has been five years, Mom. Happy birthday, 53! I still think about you every day, and I’m just sad. You promised to watch me grow up, watch me have kids, and pick out my wedding dress with me. Who does my hair on picture day now? Who tells me I’m the prettiest girl in the whole world? No one, no one, has ever complimented me like you did or cheered me up! I know it was hard, and I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have told you I hated you and that you were not a mother to me before you died. I know it must have hurt because I feel that pain every day when I have to look at myself in the mirror! I miss you every day! Happy birthday mama