Frieda M. Shannon 1916-2002

SHANNON, LEXIUS, MUENICH

Posted By: Lori Clark (email)
Date: 10/9/2002 at 12:39:05

Frieda Marie Shannon, age 85 of 112 S. Summit Street, Iowa City died Friday, March 29, 2002 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City after a brief illness.

A celebration of Frieda’s life will be held Saturday, April 13, 2002 from 2 to 4pm at the Iowa City Senior Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Iowa City Senior Center TV Program, Domestic Violence Prevention Program, Johnson County Historical Society or the Iowa City Animal Shelter. Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Services are caring for Frieda’s services and her family.

Born November 14, 1916, in Chicago, IL, Frieda attended the University of Illinois graduating with degrees in Zoology and Public Health Bacteriology. During WWII she worked on the development of Alternatives to penicillin.

After her children were born she began a life-long dedication to volunteer work with scouting, recreation, and bible school and 4-H activities. She earned additional degrees in education and recreation after moving to Iowa City in 1962. She taught science and special reading in Mt. Vernon and Iowa City elementary schools until her retirement in 1982.

Frieda’s many volunteer efforts earned her admission to the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame in 1992 and selection as Outstanding Senior Volunteer from Johnson County for the Heritage Agency 2001 Recognition of Service Award. She was active in the Iowa City Senior Center, Domestic Violence Intervention Program, Johnson County Task Force on Aging, Johnson County Historical Society, Visiting Nurses Association, Mercy Hospital, UofI medical Research, teen mentoring, reading programs, Meals on Wheels, Iowa Job Service and the Iowa City Public Library.

She was an avid lover of nature and the Arts, was a master gardener, and enjoyed canning and making preserves.

Her family includes her beloved dogs, Briday and Buddy; her twin children, son, Michael of Iowa City and daughter, Martee Shannon and her husband, Don Coykendall of Santa Cruz, CA; grandchildren, Adam Coykendall and Amy Coykendall and her husband, Michael Smith; great-grandson, Zachary Smith all of Las Vegas, NV.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Shannon in 1968.