Emily Julia Shannon's Obituary
June 3, 1932 – December 9, 2025
Emily Julia Shannon, 93, of Northpointe Village of Utica and a sixty-year resident of Center Line, Michigan, spent more than seven decades building a life centered on her faith, family, friendship, curiosity, and boundless energy. Born in Toledo, Ohio, she was the daughter of Julius Piriczky and Antoinette “Tosha” Karpanty. Emily was the youngest of three girls and was preceded in death by her beloved sisters, Delores and Marilyn.
Emily shared a loving marriage with her late husband, Norman Shannon, and together they created a warm home and interesting life. After Norman’s passing in 1969, Emily faced the immense challenge of raising their four children on her own. Her greatest achievement—and the legacy she was most proud of—was returning to work, rebuilding her life with courage, and raising her children with strength and unwavering determination.
She is the cherished mother of Kathleen Shannon (Perry Hileman), Brenda (Robert Yee), James Shannon, and the late Richard Shannon. She is also lovingly remembered by her daughter-in-law, Michell Shannon. One of her greatest pleasures in life came from her grandchildren—Caitlin Yee, Carolyn Yee, Allison Shannon, and Daniel Shannon—each of whom brought her tremendous pride and joy.
Emily’s working years reflected her versatility and drive. She spent many years as a retail department manager. She was a talented tailor and later became an enthusiastic water aerobics instructor, always encouraging others to stay active and confident.
Beyond her work, Emily embraced life with curiosity and adventure. An expert gardener, she cultivated vibrant flowers and thriving vegetables, tending her garden with skill and an undeniable green thumb. Her generosity was woven into this passion. It was common to find a bag of her homegrown tomatoes or vegetables hanging from her fence, left for neighbors to take and enjoy. She liked to share the fruits of her labor with anyone who might need a little extra freshness or kindness in their day.
She was an avid scuba diver, traveling the world to explore its underwater beauty—from Indonesia and Central America to the Caribbean and the Great Lakes. Her love of travel extended far beyond diving; she journeyed across the United States and Canada multiple times and made a memorable trip to Africa, always seeking new experiences. She became a student of photography, both underwater and on land, documenting the beauty she found around her. At home, she was a gifted cook known for preparing a wide variety of ethnic dishes that she shared with family and friends.
Emily enjoyed the simple joys that brought fun and connection into her life. She was a great bowler, spending several years on leagues where she made friends, shared laughter, and embraced the competition. She loved trips to the casinos and spent many happy hours at bingo halls, sharing laughter, stories, and always in search of that big win. One of her secrets to a long and fulfilling life was her belief in staying active both physically and mentally, a philosophy she lived fully through movement, conversation, learning, and the friendships she cultivated.
One of Emily’s defining qualities was her gift for friendship. She made friends easily and had a wide circle that included all ages and varied social groups. She was the kind of person who would see a person in need, then help them, often driving family and friends to doctors’ appointments, organizing outings, or taking people on tours of Christmas light displays in neighborhoods across the area. Her kindness, loyalty, and generosity touched countless lives.
Emily will be remembered for her resilience, sense of adventure, independent spirit, and deep love for her family and friends.
Visitation will be held at Rudy Funeral Home, 25650 Van Dyke, in Center Line, on Monday, December 15th from 2pm – 8pm with a 6pm Scripture. Instate Tuesday, December 16th at 9:30am for 10am Mass at St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families Catholic Church (St. Clement Site), 25320 Van Dyke, Center Line. Burial at Resurrection Cemetery. Please visit www.rudyfuneral.com to share a memory or light a candle.
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