Marilyn
McCusker
)Shannon
Obituary
Marilyn McCusker Shannon (67) was a lifelong Catholic, especially dedicated to the Traditional Latin Mass; a loyal and loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and friend; mother of nine, two through international adoption; a home school parent; for 35 years a part-time instructor of biology at Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne (now Purdue Fort Wayne; retired 2019). She is the author of five editions of Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition, the most recent published by The Couple to Couple League for Natural Family Planning in 2019; this interest gave her an attentive ear to women interested in natural health, and she spoke widely on the topic in the Midwest. She was an Allen County (IN) 4-H leader for eleven years, former Allen County 4-H Board member, and assistant leader until recently. She was a fancier of animals, especially dairy goats, dogs, cats, and poultry. She is survived by her beloved husband of 43 years, Ronald Shannon; children Fr. John Shannon, FSSP of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Rosemary (Michael) Imrick of Fort Wayne, IN; Stephen (Katie) Shannon of LaPorte, IN; Gregory Shannon; Regina (Jared) Trout; Ellen Shannon, Vahn Shannon, Monica Shannon and Lucia Shannon, all of Fort Wayne; sister Rosemary (Richard) Nilles, brother David E. (Kris) McCusker, Jr., thirteen grandchildren, with two more on the way, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, David E. McCusker, Sr., and Margaret E. (Caulfield) McCusker, brothers, James McCusker, Mark McCusker, and infant brother William McCusker; and sister Nancy Benson. Traditional Latin Requiem High Mass will be 11:30 am, Saturday, May 23, 2020 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4643 Gaywood Ave with calling from 10:00 am – 11:30 am. Visitation will be held Friday, May 22, 2020, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm with a rosary recited at 6:30 pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne. Face covering is required, Stage 3 gathering of up to 100 people and still maintain social distancing will be followed. Burial will be in Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne. Memorial contributions may be made to the Women's Care Center, Fort Wayne.
Services
Condolences
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In the timing today of All Saints Day, I AM sure your Marilyn’s soul is in the company of all the saints. I have placed her writings in the little public libraries I have directed, to be shared throughout the state of Wisconsin. She put into resources that which I learned in His words of biblical wisdom, the healing available in nutrition for all aspects of human reproduction. That awareness contribution is a key piece to natural family planning, sympto-thermal methods It has been shared most recently in a young women’s budding doula practice moms group meeting in the library. Eternal rest & perpetual light for her and all of us by the grace she shared.
I just heard of Marilyn’s death. Her book guided us throughout our younger years, always true to Catholic teaching and always so helpful as to how to cure various issues naturally. A true woman of God.
Marilyn will always hold a special place in my heart. My husband and I are a teaching couple for the Couple to Couple League. After the birth of our first daughter we experienced the heartache of losing two of our children to miscarriage. I had read Marilyn’s book but had questions about our specific situation. Marilyn took the time to call me at home. We talked for over an hour as we both sat in our respective homes clear across the country and nursed our babies as we chatted. Her advise was invaluable and so helpful. I was touched that she would take the time to talk with me even though we had never met. May she rest peacefully in the arms of our Lord. She and her entire family are in my prayers!
Read and saved many, many of Marilyn’s articles and passed out copies of her book. Very sorry to hear such a good and knowledgeable person has passed
What a loss! Marilyn had such compassion for families suffering from fertility problems. I experienced her kindness personally, but I know she was a rock for the whole NFP community. We are so sorry for your loss as a family. May perpetual Light shine on her.
Rest in peace Marilyn. Thank you for all your support during the difficult moments we spent with our daughter Elisa. We pray for the eternal rest of your soul and resignation for your beautiful Family
Lopez-Castillo Family
It was a pleasure to work with Marilyn as a colleague in the Department of Biology over many years. I will remember her for her passion for anatomy, generosity to me as a colleague, and the incredible legacy she has left through teaching innumerable students whom have gone on to become health care professionals. Caroline and I extend our sincere condolences and sympathy for her family.
Our prayers are with your family at this time. Marilyn was an inspiration whenever our paths crossed. One could always learn some lesson from her. May each of you know God’s peace.
It was a pleasure to work with Marilyn. She was one of the first faculty who reached out to me and offered me teaching materials my first year at IPFW. She always provided meaningful contributions to our department and cared deeply for her students. We taught the same group of students and they were always well-prepared for my courses. She has certainly left a legacy with her colleagues and students and will be missed. My sincere condolences and prayers for her family. She was a light to many.
I’m extremely sad to hear of her passing. Her books gave me hope, helped me cope, and empowered me to take charge of my woman’s health issues at a time when I thought all hope had been lost. I will never forget the kindness and understanding she bestowed on me, a frightened and distraught young woman so tired from recurrent miscarriage, and ongoing trials from Endometriosis. Fourteen years ago, she took my call, and gently walked me through her personal experiences, research, and made a plan of suggestions that I immediately implemented, and still use to this day. I will be forever grateful for her wisdom, and the role she played in leading me toward healing, and eventually, motherhood. RIP, Marilyn Shannon. May you rest in eternal peace. May Our Lord surround your loving family, and may Our Mother wrap her arms around them all as they mourn the loss of your one, incredibly, wonderful, giving, loving life.
I went back to college at age 40. Marilyn was my A&P lab instructor. I appreciated and benefited from her knowledge and patience but also from her deep respect of the human body. My sympathies and prayers to her family.
My condolences to the family and friends of Marilyn Shannon. I knew her only through her book and talks on nutrition and cycles, about which she was my top resource. Marilyn has helped countless women and couples through her teaching, speaking and writing and left a legacy for us all.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart – may He comfort you in this time of grief. God bless you and may the soul of your mother rest in the everlasting peace of Christ Almighty.
David and Vicki Bridges
My husband and I have a sweet 7 month old baby girl who I’m not sure she would be here without Marilyn’s advice. I never had the pleasure of meeting Marilyn in person, but I can say she has touched my life deeply in just the few interactions we had over the phone. So very sorry for your loss; be assured of our prayers! May the Lord bless you all, and welcome Marilyn into Paradise
It was with great sadness that I heard about Marilyn’s passing through the CCL. Her books have been instrumental in helping me and my husband understand our fertility and rich have been the blessings in our marriage since. With love and prayer from the UK xx
Marilyn Shannon has touched more lives than you will ever know. Our family is just one, through the wisdom shared in her books and word of mouth we were blessed with our beautiful daughter born 20 years ago. My prayers are with your family. Sincerely, Mary
I’m very thankful for Marilyn’s book and the treasure of her knowledge. I use it regularly to counsel women with infertility or cycleproblems in Switzerland. Just started to translate some chapters out of it. Hope to have once the whole book in german.
I’m very sad on knowing she has passed away – a great loss for women all over the world!
I never met Marilyn, but her book helped change my life. Her extensive research on hypothyroidism and NFP helped me greatly when doctors were dismissive and inspired me to persist in figuring out my medical problems. My condolences to her family. We have lost a magnificent woman, and I hope that I may meet her someday in the age to come. Blessings, Jordan Gandhi
With deepest sympathy, fondest memories, and heartfelt love from the Estrada family.
Monica and Ed Estrada
I met Marilyn as a young girl of 6…She and her family were wonderful friends of my own…as a child, Marilyn was a quiet and humble leader…as a young person, she was honest, honorable, moral, ethical, principled, very intelligent and always kind…she was genuine and authentic, tirelessly helpful and good to all people…as a grown woman she was unwavering in her depth of character…I remember our shared love of horses, neighborhood hikes, long talks and walks…she was an excellent role model, as was her whole family…she was instrumental in my growth and development into maturity…my only regret is that I was not good in keeping up over the years…we take time for granted…and for that I am sorry… but, I am so very grateful to have known Marilyn and to have been her childhood friend…I pray for her safe repose and that her gentle soul soar with the angels…love and prayers my family and I send to the entire McCusker/Shannon clan…today and always…Peggy Smyrnes-Williams
To all my former Shannon Family Students: I cannot describe my sadness to see your mother’s obituary in the newspaper this morning. I thought with your mother’s energy, she would enjoy a wonderful retirement. I am so sorry it was so short. Of course being the mother of a priest, Fr. John, She must be enjoying her place in heaven. I would like to be able to see all of you at her Mass, but being 82 and the virus, I don’t think I will be able to be there. You have my deepest thoughts and know I will thinking of all of you on Friday and Saturday
Our condolences and prayers for the Shannon family. Marilyn touched many couples through her work with CCL. As a teaching couple we called her on several occasions for counseling and she generously gave us her time, knowledge and wisdom and encouragement. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord.
Sending much love and many prayers to the entire Shannon family.
With love, Daniel and Denise Roy & family
I am so grateful to Marilyn for being a role model to me as a mother and as a Catholic. She offered constant support and encouragement to me through the years, and her work with CTCL made a huge impact on my life. Sending many prayers and much love to her entire family. -Denise Roy
I’m heartbroken to hear of Marilyn’s passing. I pray for peace for all of you.
Regina and Family- we are thinking of you. We wanted you to know that we will greatly miss your Mom. She made such a big impact on so many students. Your friends at Purdue University Fort Wayne
Our prayers and sympathies to Ron and the rest of the family. We are also a CCL teaching couple from Defiance, Ohio. We met Marilyn at a conference about 5 years ago and had a nice conversation. Such a warm, gentle, and knowledgeable woman with such a servant’s heart for helping others! Her FC&N books have been and will continue to be a help to many. May her good works go with her.
We were neighbors of the Shannon’s over 31 years. We will never forget Marilyn’s kindness when we moved in behind them. She came to our home with farm fresh eggs in hand to introduce herself and welcome us to the neighborhood. We developed a friendship right away sharing interests in natural foods, organic gardening, homebirths and overall love of life .When I would get eggs we sometimes would have tea chats to catch each other up on what was happening in our lives which were busy living rural. Marilyn was the most genuine woman and I loved her sense of humor. I will miss our chats. Our heartfelt sympathies to Ron, the Children. Family & Friends. Peace be with you all.
With immense gratitude and love for Marilyn’s gift of herself to thousands of couples, which brought increased love and life to so many. We share in your sorrow, but praise God for his blessings!
The entire CCL family
It has been over 25 years since Marilyn and Ron shared with my husband (then my fiancé) their shared knowledge of Natural Family Planning. Marilyn was obviously so knowledgeable and it was a precious gift that she shared this passion with so many others. Our married life was positively impacted by you two. We are very grateful. Peace to all of Marilyn’s family and friends.
We know Marilyn is at peace in heaven. We pray the love of God surrounds all of the Shannon Family. Please remember that we love all of you very much!
Kris O’Keefe and Family
Prayers for the happy repose of Marilyn and for the consolation of all of her family. We have been a CCL teaching couple for 22 years, and have so benefitted from Marilyn’s work.
To Rosemary & family, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. I know that she was always hard at work at different 4-H events and that she was a wonderful teacher and leader. There is no greater legacy than the love of God that she passed on to her children, and her love for the beauty of the Latin Mass. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Sympathies to the Shannon clan. I was shocked to see that Marilyn passed away. I have always enjoyed visiting with Marilyn during the 4-H fair and activities. She will truly be missed by all. God be with the family during this difficult time and the days ahead.
Marilyn was an beautiful loving spiritual person, she touched a lot of peoples lives with her kindness. I enjoyed seeing her and the entire Shannon Family at the fair each year.
Marilyn will be missed by many. My prayers go out to the entire Shannon family.
Sincerely
Gina Bacon
With deepest sympathy from the Nilles family.
My prayers are with you. “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 THes. 3:16
Brogan C. Stillman