Ellen A. Shannon

Ellen A. Shannon

July 24, 1925 – June 30, 2026

Ellen A. Shannon, 100, of Tockwotton on the Waterfront, East Providence, RI, formerly of Pawtucket, Naples, Florida, and Dennis Port, Massachusetts, died peacefully on June 30, 2026, comforted by her daughter, Marilyn. She was predeceased by her husband, William (“Bill”) Shannon, to whom she was married for 66 years. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Marilyn Shannon McConaghy, Marilyn’s husband, Raymond J. McConaghy, Jr., of Pawtucket, and her beloved granddaughter, Bridget Ellen Shannon McConaghy, and her husband, Marc Uddo, of Los Angeles, California. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Ellen was also predeceased by her parents, John E. Fay, Sr. and Agnes (Boland) Fay, her sister, Mary F. Carr, and her brothers, Phillip J., James P., John E., and Robert B. Fay. Both her paternal and maternal grandparents immigrated from Ireland in the late 1800’s.

Ellen was a graduate of East High School Class of 1943 and a proud graduate of Rhode Island College Class of 1947. While at RIC she was elected a member of the RIC Epsilon RHO Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, a National Honor Society in Education, and elected as its Secretary/Treasurer. She received a Master’s Degree in Education from Bridgewater State College.

Ellen and Bill married on July 28, 1951. Ellen taught in the Pawtucket School System for 35 years, initially teaching at Prospect Street School and thereafter spending most of her career teaching third grade at the former J.C. Potter School. She loved teaching and often spoke fondly of her students. During her teaching career, she was active in the Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance, where she served as Membership Chair.

Ellen and Bill retired in 1983. During retirement, Ellen was a member of the Blackstone Valley Retired Teachers’ Association and the Rhode Island Retired Teachers’ Association. She and Bill enjoyed traveling to various countries including Ireland, Germany, France, England, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, as well as taking trips to Alaska and various National Parks. They resided in Naples, Florida where Ellen perfected her golf game and chaired the Ladies Golf Committee at High Point Country Club. Summers were spent in Dennis Port, Massachusetts at the summer house Ellen and Bill built in 1960. Whether in Naples or Dennis Port, they enthusiastically and generously welcomed Marilyn, Ray and Bridget for frequent weekend visits and extended vacations. All started with fresh-made brownies. Ellen a/k/a “Grandma” adored Bridget and showered her with love and affection and would light up whenever Bridget arrived for a visit or called.

From January 2013 until Bill’s passing in 2018, Ellen and Bill resided at Tockwotton on the Waterfront where they enjoyed numerous activities, comfort, security, and friendships in a loving environment. Warm days and relaxing evenings were spent on the front veranda overlooking the water. Ellen continued to live at Tockwotton after Bill’s passing, enjoying friends, concerts, community crosswords, trivia, flower arranging (arrangements which she thoroughly shared with other residents), gardening, Rosary, Catholic Mass and communion services.

Ellen was blessed with a long, fulfilling and rich life. She was smart, serious (with a touch of Irish wit), fiercely loyal, loving and devoted to her family, and a thoughtful friend. She was a master of the art of beautifully handwritten notes and sent cards and notes for every occasion; she was a woman of quiet strength and grace who lived a faith-filled life. Her daughter will remember her as “the best mom in the whole world” and her family will always miss her.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus Church, 358 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket. Burial will follow at Mt. St. Mary’s Cemetery, 661 Prospect Street, Pawtucket.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM in the Manning-Heffern-O’Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ellen’s name to HopeHealth and Palliative Care of Rhode Island, Tockwotton on the Waterfront, or Little Sisters of the Poor in Pawtucket, RI.