Shannon Eileen Murphy Motta
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Shannon Eileen Murphy Motta of San Tan Valley, Arizona, formerly of Chicago Heights, Illinois, raised in Caruthersville, Missouri, died at age 71 on January 15, 2021 at home surrounded by family.
Shannon is survived by her husband of 49 fun-loving years, Len, along with her children Meredith (Rudy) Jaramillo; Hilary (Joseph) LoBue; and grandchildren Hayden, Evan, Sage, Brandon and Megan. She is further survived by her brothers and sisters, Maureen (Ron) Korabik, Brian (Annette) Murphy, Kevin Murphy and Kathleen (Larry) Payton. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edna Catherine and Richard Murphy.
Shannon and Len met at the University of Albuquerque in 1967. Shannon received her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Missouri, Phi Beta Kappa. They were married in 1971 in Caruthersville, Missouri.
They moved to Chicago Heights to raise their two wonderful daughters and enjoyed a loving life filled with adventurous family vacations. Shannon was a supportive, loving, and caring wife and mother.
Shannon’s professional career included director of development at the Court Theatre in Chicago; director of corporate contributions at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago; director of development at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago; director of major gifts at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago; vice president of development at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois; and director of major gifts at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Shannon retired in 2009 and enjoyed traveling with her loving husband, Len, throughout the United States. Their trip to South America was one of their favorite adventures, which included Brazil, Argentina and Chile, where they drank whiskey from frozen mugs in an ice cave. Shannon enjoyed hiking outdoors in the Rocky Mountains, Maine—specifically Cadillac Mountain—and exploring the deserts of Arizona. Through their travels they visited many national parks in the United States.
Shannon enjoyed sharing her love for the outdoors and the arts with her five grandchildren. She planned a special trip to New York City for all five grandchildren seeing Broadway shows, museums, various musical performances and the Statue of Liberty. The grandchildren loved sleepovers and New Year’s Eve celebrations at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
Due to COVID-19, there will be no memorial service at this time.
In lieu of flowers, we would prefer donations in Shannon’s memory to:
ALS Association
ALS.org
National Park Foundation
Nationalparks.org
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Bob Fabrizio says: So sorry to hear of Shannon’s passing. She is an example of a life well lived. May she Rest In Peace.
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Jay Ruklic says:
Len, I am very sad to learn of your wife’s passing. I recall talking with her a few times, during those years we worked together on Warrior Booster projects. Both of you will always remain highly regarded by your former Crete-Monee colleagues. You, your daughters and grandchildren are being added to our prayers. Godspeed Shannon.
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Susan Lawrence says:
Len and Family,
We are so very sorry for the loss of your dear Shannon. She was very dear to our class of ’67 at Caruthersville High. May you be comforted by your fond memories to cherish as Shannon lives on in our hearts.
Hugs and love,
Bob and Susan Lawrence -
Barbara Stone says:
Another Caruthersville person with ALS? So confusing of how so many from our little town have had this disease. Sorry for Shannon.
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Jamie Phillippe says:
Len – I am so very sorry to learn of Shannon’s passing. She was too young! Catherine Wierz contacted me. My sympathies and love are with you and the girls. I remember the year that she oversaw the Columbian Ball at MSI. She was stunningly gorgeous that night! Jamie Phillippe
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Rebecca Morgan says:
I’ve known her & her family all my life and I’m saddened by the news of her passing as I was of her parents. Their all in my thoughts and prayers.
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Joan Lape says:
Dear Len and Family,
So sorry to hear about Shannon Please except my Sympathy. She was such lovely Lady and a joy to
know.
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Don and Bernadette says:
Our deepest and sincerest sympathies to all of Shannon’s family, especially her beloved husband,Len and her adored daughters and grandchildren. The world has lost a beautiful soul. She will be missed by many.
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Kim Swinton says:
Dear Len and Shannon’s family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Shannon was the best. A generous and supportive colleague who personally taught me so much, and an excellent friend. She is remembered fondly and will be missed. -
Wanda Hopper Wilkeson says:
Prayers for comfort for all the family. Knew the younger siblings growing up and had Mrs Murphy as my teacher. Loved that family.
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Linda Frary says:
Dear Len,
I am so sorry to hear about Shannon’s passing. I will keep you and your family in my prayers during this difficult time.
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Len says:
Bob,
Thank you for your continued support. You are a true
wonderful friend. -
Len says:
Jay,
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Crete-Monee will always have a place in our hearts.
Take care,
Len -
Len says:
Bob and Susan,
Thank you for your kind words. I remember meeting you in Caruthersville and Shannon talk about her wonderful classmates.
Shannon will always be the love of my life.Stay safe and well.
Len
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Len says:
Bob,
Thank you for your continued support. You are a true
wonderful friend. -
Diana Buchanan class of 67 says:
So sorry for your loss. She was such a sweet person
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Roger Turco says:
Dear Len and Family, Sorry to hear of Shannon’s passing. Such a positive ad energetic spirit! Our thoughts are with you and your family. Roger Turco
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Len says:
Thank you Jay. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
I hope all is well with you and your family. I think about all the wonderful people we had the privilege to work with in the Booster Club. Peace and happiness to all.
Len -
Len says:
Thank you Bob.
Stay healthy and safe.
Len
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Len says:
Jamie,
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Shannon loved MSI and she and I enjoyed the Black Tie events.
She always enjoyed working with you and her team at MSI.Stay safe and healthy.
Len
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Len says:
Thank you Rebecca.
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Len says:
Thank you Joan .
I hope you are okay. Stay safe and healthy.
Len
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Len says:
Thank you Kim.
We appreciate your kind words. She loved working with you.
Stay safe and healthy
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Len says:
Linda,
Thank you so much for your prayers.
How are you Linda? Hope you are enjoying your retirement. I thoroughly enjoyed working with you. You are an excellent educator!Stay safe and healthy!
Friends,
Len
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Maria Reeves Beliles says:
Dear Len & Family,
My deepest sympathy. Her mother & my mother were close friends. Her mom was my godmother & her grandfather my godfather. She was in my brother’s class since first grade at the Catholic school. I lost him to ALS. She was gracious, smart & beautiful. I am praying for the entire family.
Maria Reeves Beliles -
Bob Schroeppel says:
I am just now (2 years later) seeing Shannon’s obituary. I’m so sorry for your loss. Our families (Schroeppels and Murphys) were very close during my childhood years. We lived in Caruthersville for awhile, and made several trips back there after we moved to my hometown of Malden, MO. Please pass along my condolences to all of the family, including Shonnon’s brothers and sisters.
Bob Fabrizio 
Jay Ruklic 
Susan Lawrence 
Barbara Stone 
Jamie Phillippe 
Rebecca Morgan 
Joan Lape 
Don and Bernadette 
Kim Swinton 
Wanda Hopper Wilkeson 
Linda Frary 
Len 
Diana Buchanan class of 67 
Roger Turco 
Maria Reeves Beliles 
Bob Schroeppel
So sorry to hear of Shannon’s passing. She is an example of a life well lived. May she Rest In Peace.
Len, I am very sad to learn of your wife’s passing. I recall talking with her a few times, during those years we worked together on Warrior Booster projects. Both of you will always remain highly regarded by your former Crete-Monee colleagues. You, your daughters and grandchildren are being added to our prayers. Godspeed Shannon.
Len and Family,
We are so very sorry for the loss of your dear Shannon. She was very dear to our class of ’67 at Caruthersville High. May you be comforted by your fond memories to cherish as Shannon lives on in our hearts.
Hugs and love,
Bob and Susan Lawrence
Another Caruthersville person with ALS? So confusing of how so many from our little town have had this disease. Sorry for Shannon.
Len – I am so very sorry to learn of Shannon’s passing. She was too young! Catherine Wierz contacted me. My sympathies and love are with you and the girls. I remember the year that she oversaw the Columbian Ball at MSI. She was stunningly gorgeous that night! Jamie Phillippe
I’ve known her & her family all my life and I’m saddened by the news of her passing as I was of her parents. Their all in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Len and Family,
So sorry to hear about Shannon Please except my Sympathy. She was such lovely Lady and a joy to
know.
Our deepest and sincerest sympathies to all of Shannon’s family, especially her beloved husband,Len and her adored daughters and grandchildren. The world has lost a beautiful soul. She will be missed by many.
Dear Len and Shannon’s family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Shannon was the best. A generous and supportive colleague who personally taught me so much, and an excellent friend. She is remembered fondly and will be missed.
Prayers for comfort for all the family. Knew the younger siblings growing up and had Mrs Murphy as my teacher. Loved that family.
Dear Len,
I am so sorry to hear about Shannon’s passing. I will keep you and your family in my prayers during this difficult time.
Bob,
Thank you for your continued support. You are a true
wonderful friend.
Jay,
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Crete-Monee will always have a place in our hearts.
Take care,
Len
Bob and Susan,
Thank you for your kind words. I remember meeting you in Caruthersville and Shannon talk about her wonderful classmates.
Shannon will always be the love of my life.
Stay safe and well.
Len
Bob,
Thank you for your continued support. You are a true
wonderful friend.
So sorry for your loss. She was such a sweet person
Dear Len and Family, Sorry to hear of Shannon’s passing. Such a positive ad energetic spirit! Our thoughts are with you and your family. Roger Turco
Thank you Jay. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
I hope all is well with you and your family. I think about all the wonderful people we had the privilege to work with in the Booster Club. Peace and happiness to all.
Len
Thank you Bob.
Stay healthy and safe.
Len
Jamie,
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Shannon loved MSI and she and I enjoyed the Black Tie events.
She always enjoyed working with you and her team at MSI.
Stay safe and healthy.
Len
Thank you Rebecca.
Thank you Joan .
I hope you are okay. Stay safe and healthy.
Len
Thank you Kim.
We appreciate your kind words. She loved working with you.
Stay safe and healthy
Linda,
Thank you so much for your prayers.
How are you Linda? Hope you are enjoying your retirement. I thoroughly enjoyed working with you. You are an excellent educator!
Stay safe and healthy!
Friends,
Len
Dear Len & Family,
My deepest sympathy. Her mother & my mother were close friends. Her mom was my godmother & her grandfather my godfather. She was in my brother’s class since first grade at the Catholic school. I lost him to ALS. She was gracious, smart & beautiful. I am praying for the entire family.
Maria Reeves Beliles
I am just now (2 years later) seeing Shannon’s obituary. I’m so sorry for your loss. Our families (Schroeppels and Murphys) were very close during my childhood years. We lived in Caruthersville for awhile, and made several trips back there after we moved to my hometown of Malden, MO. Please pass along my condolences to all of the family, including Shonnon’s brothers and sisters.