SHIVAUN GANNON (MCCORMACK)

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SHIVAUN GANNON (nee MCCORMACK) Shivaun Gannon, born on March 20, 1919, passed away peacefully in her sleep, with her family by her side, on December 26, 2016, at the age of 97. Shivaun had sea-green eyes and grew up in Wicklow, Ireland, the seventh of nine children. She was a passionate sportswoman, musician, dancer and teacher. She fell madly in love with the jazz pianist Joseph Ignatius Gannon. They were married in 1941, and had six children. In 1957 they made the brave and difficult decision to emigrate from their beloved Ireland to Canada. Here, Shivaun became a pioneer and leader of physical education in the Winnipeg School Division. In 1984, she and Joe moved to Pender Island, BC, to live once again by the sea and the green, anchoring a family haven called Yonder that welcomed their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many, many late nights of music. Shivaun loved nothing more than listening to her family of talented musicians play together, and she was generally the last to go to bed. Shivaun offered aerobics classes for the Pender community until the age of 90. An active member of the Pender Golf Club, she won many trophies over the years. She was also a gifted storyteller and oral historian for her enormous family. In her 80s, her stories were gathered into a book about her life called, 'Listen to Your Heart.' Shivaun was the last living member of her family of nine McCormack children. She was graceful, loving and loved beyond measure. Her last words were, "I love you all so much". She is survived by her six children: Oliver, Brenda Grenier (Don), Bill (Linda), Siobhan Robinsong (Bill), Germaine Norberg (Don), and Peter (Cathy); 18 grandchildren: David and Nicky, Sean, Samantha and Jessica, Maureen, Patrice and Yasha, Erin and Kaeli, Tara, Genevieve, Katie and Cormack, Shivaun, Charlie, Matthew and Ben, and 14 great-grandchildren: Jason, Olly, Ava, Damien, Xavier, Zoe and Zarrin, Hannah, Amelia, Nathaniel and Josie, Leni and Dov, and Gabe, and many nieces and nephews. She is greeted in heaven by Joe, her parents Bill and Germaine McCormack, eight brothers and sisters, and her darling daughter-in-law, Pat Hervey. Her wish was to be cremated, and there was a small service for family on Pender Island where her ashes were laid beside her beloved husband Joe. There will be a larger memorial for her in July on Pender Island. Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Aunt, Teacher and Friend to so many, we hold you close always, and bless you on your way. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to www.righttoplay.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 28, 2017