Obituary of Shannon Anne Spillane

Annapolis, MD ~ Shannon Anne Spillane, age 63, formerly of LeRoy, passed away on Friday, December 17, 2021 at the Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis.

     She was born March 15, 1958 in Batavia, a daughter of Ursula Drayo Spillane and the late Donald E. Spillane.

     Shannon will be remembered as a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and dear friend, who was beautiful in so many different ways.  She was smart, fun, energetic, welcoming and extremely compassionate.  She had a special love for the many dogs in need of homes in her area and so she, along with her husband, Tom, rescued many of them over the years.

     Her education started in LeRoy, where she attended Holy Family School and became a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Batavia.  She then went on for her undergraduate studies at St. Bonaventure University and ultimately completed her Master's degree in Journalism at the University of Maryland.  She worked for the University of Maryland in the Alumni Office, the Official Olympics, working closely with Eunice Kennedy Shriver and eventually went on to work for the United States Naval Academy as their Protocol and Special Events Director.  Through this position, along with her loving, kind and generous ways, she developed many close relationships across the U.S., one of which included becoming a very good friend of Roger Staubach.

     She will be sadly missed by her husband, Thomas J. Welsh; her mother, Ursula Spillane of LeRoy; her sister, Shawn (Joseph) Siconolfi of Rochester; nephews, Nicholas Vincent and Tyler Siconolfi; special cousins, Vicki (David) Clark, Kevin (Barbara) Klinkbeil and Kristopher (Catherine) Klinkbeil; her brother's companion, Johanna Buran, her many beloved canine companions, along with many other relatives and dear friends.

     She was predeceased by her father, Donald, brother, Brendan "Mickey" and her aunt and uncle, Rachel and William Klinkbeil.

     Family and friends are invited to attend Shannon's Funeral Mass on Monday, December 27, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, St. Peter's Church, 44 Lake Street, LeRoy. (Face Masks are required for attendance) She will be laid to rest privately with her father and brother in St. Francis Cemetery.    

     In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, 1815 Bay Ridge Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403 (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/AACSPCA) or St. Bonaventure University, P.O. Box 2519, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778