Mary Shannon Reed

DURHAM Mrs. Mary “Shannon” Reed, 38, of 1016 Glenco Road, died on Sunday, May 6, 2012.Shannon was born in Richmond, VA and loved to travel having gained life experiences living in Brazil, Texas, California, New England, Virginia and finally North Carolina. She excelled in sports while participating in soccer and track when attending Chelmsford High School in Massachusetts. She graduated from University of Connecticut in 1995 and received a master’s degree in special education at Old Dominion University in 1997. Shannon was a dedicated advocate for children while teaching special education at Rosemont Forest Elementary in Virginia Beach and The Hill Center in Durham, NC. Shannon was a model of devotion to her son and husband and enjoyed daily family activities- a caring mother and a wonderful wife. She loved hiking and camping with her family as well as various music and art festivals. Shannon’s generous nature was infectious and her smile could light up a room. She made friends easily and was admired by all for her strength of character, honesty and will to succeed. Her undying faith and spiritual strength transcended the challenges that her battle with cancer imposed. She refused to be ruled by her diagnosis and maintained her zest for life. She believed in miracles in every small detail of existence. Shannon has touched so many lives and inspired everyone that knew her to live every day to the fullest and face life’s challenges fearlessly and gracefully. She was preceded in death by her brother,Adrian Ryan Kirk.She is survived by her husband, Brandon Reed, her parents, Ted and Ann Kirk of Hillsborough; one son, Tristan Reed; sister, Kristin Brown of Durham; grandmothers, Mary Elizabeth Kirk of Barboursville, WV and Mary Dickinson of Mechanicsville, Va.Memorial services will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Chapel, officiated by Chaplain Cheryl McNair. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., before the service at the funeral home.