Sandra Kae Dean Shannon
March 17, 1946 ~ June 4, 2020
Sandra Kae Dean Shannon, 74, of Fairfax, Va. Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and godmother. Sandy died peacefully with her son Brian by her side on June 4, 2020. Born on St. Patrick's Day, 1946 in Huntington, WV, daughter of the late Theodore and Gladys Dean, she grew up in WV and later Arlington, VA. She is preceded in death by brothers, Rodney Dean and Steven Dean, and one sister, Eleanor Jones. Sandy worked for 37 years supporting the legal department at the US Department of Labor in Mine Safety and Health. She enjoyed spending time with her siblings and traveling with family, loved annual visits to the Outer Banks, and adored being a grandmother. She leaves a son, Brian Shannon and his wife Laura, granddaughter Bailey, and grandson Dean, four sisters, Dodi Palmer, Marilyn Johnston, Margie Peterson (Pete) and Susie McKinnon (Greg), as well as cousins, nieces and nephews and a Goddaughter. A truly kind and generous soul, a friend, a mom and "Grammy", Sandy will be sorely missed.
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I worked with Sandy on a daily basis for some twenty-five years. She was one of the loveliest, and one of the brightest, people I have ever known. Her presence in the office was, as the Gospel says, the lampstand that “is set upon a lampstand and gives light to everyone in the house.” Chris Schumann
Brian: So sorry to hear about your mom. Dave and I are thinking of you, Laura, Bailey and Dean at this difficult time. -Beth (Hottle) Marcellas
As a person who worked for many years with Sandy I will never forget her for her warm spirit and gentle ways. I feel fortunate for having been able to work in the same space with Sandy. My condolences to Brian and to Sandy’s entire family and to all those who will miss herpresence in this world. Peter Garcia
Sandy was a delightful person and a generous colleague who would always “go the extra mile” to do a job well. I have so many good memories of our times together in the Office of the Solicitor. With sympathy, Lynne Dunbar
I present this picture of recently blooming lilies in honor and memory of Sandy Shannon. A long-time co-worker at my former office, Office of the Solicitor, Mine Safety & Health, Dept. of Labor. Sandy was always smiling, good-natured with patient attention in helping often frantic lawyers prepare and file legal documents, often last-minute. As her son states and as we all knew, she was a “kind soul” and will be missed by all. To her son Brian and family, I send deepest sympathy and prayers on their loss. RIP. Jim Crawford
Sandy was a wonderful person and joy to work with and be around. She had that rare ability to manage to make the most difficult of tasks make them look easy. I sometimes referred to her as “Saint Sandy” and now she is officially a saint. She loved Brian and her grandchildren and all of her family. Please accept my condolences. May she Rest In Peace. Let us hold fast the memory of the wonderful person she was.
Sandy was a kind and generous colleague who made my days brighter and inspired me to be a better person. April Nelson U.S. Department of Labor
I’ve known Sandy for 33 years, over half of my life. We would chat in a certain room on the 4th floor in our Ballston office space. You could learn a lot from being in that room throughout the work day. She was my friend, mentor and colleague, a true gem, I miss her dearly. Love to Brian, Laura, Bailey, Dean and all of her loved ones. Jeannie Tideman
The Morgan family sends heartfelt respect and fond memories to Sandy’s family and friends, in 1995 I was installing Her a/c the day of the Oklahoma truck bombing, Her mom was at Sandy’s house and told me about it. Sandy was always very nice, She always made sure to have soda for me when I came down from the attic! God Bless Her and all Her loved ones.
Sandy was a wonderful woman of intelligence, compassion, good judgment and so much more. We worked together for about 30 years and she was a dear friend who will remain in my heart forever. Her presence made our office a great place to work. She was incredibly smart, skillful and a problem solver. She cared about people and treated everyone with patience and respect. I also remember how proud she was of you Brian and how happy she was being grandma to Bailey and Dean. May she Rest In Peace. Ed Clair
Sandy was one of the kindest, most hard working, and serene persons I have ever worked with. She made the world a better place. My heartfelt prayers and condolences. Robin Rosenbluth
I worked with Sandy at the MSH Division over 30 years ago. I departed the office in 1990, and I cannot believe it has been that long. Notwithstanding those many years, I still recall Sandy with great fondness, and there is little doubt that she was one of the kindest people I have ever known. For many, many years after I departed her office, Sandy took time to reach out to me to say hello, and to invite me to office holiday parties! My deepest condolences to all over the loss of this wonderful person.
Sandy was a warm, wonderful, unforgettable person. We last worked together in the DOL SOL MSH Division in 1995, but I never forgot her kindness to everyone I ever saw her encounter. She was always so calm, so steady — no matter how tight the deadline. I never saw Sandy in a cross or irritable mood. Nor did I ever see her with a stern or angry expression on her face. Sandy was the consummate professional who knew how to have a good laugh. She will be sorely missed. To everyone who knew and loved Sandy, please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Tana Adde
Hi Brian and family. This is Nellie L. Seward. I was blessed to meet, work and train your mom when she became an employee at the Labor Department. We formed a beautiful bond and friendship that has lasted throughout the years. Although, I moved back to the Washington, D.C. office many years ago, our friendship remained and we continued to keep in touch as much as possible. I met you a long time ago, and have many fond memories Sandy shared about you (the young landscaper/grass cutter), Ma Dean and other family members. She went to Ma Dean’s for lunch everyday. She truly loved her family. I am so glad God gave me the opportunity to meet and have your Mom became very special friend to me. She will be missed, but we have to thank God for all of the fond memories we are left with. Please keep in touch. (301) 577-6832 I would like to attend any future service.
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Sandy was such a wonderful colleague to have. She was always friendly and warm to everyone and yet she always was someone you could count on to make your work tasks easier. She came to be one of those people who comprised the very soul of our office. It’s a small thing but when I was first learning to be an artist and struggling a bit, I did a painting. She liked it and asked to keep it and kept it her office for years. The fact that she liked my painting was so encouraging to me at that time. It was a small but fond thing like that which I will always remember Sandy for. I am sorry for Sandy’s family’s loss and wish that I could be there in person to give my condolences. Thank you so much Sandy for being such a good friend and colleague!