Shannon Beth Harps
April 3, 1976 - December 31, 2007
Obituary
Shannon Harps, beloved daughter of Ron and Angela Harps, cherished younger sister of Melissa Harps died on December 31, 2007, in Seattle, WA.
Shannon was an associate regional representative of the NW Office of the Sierra Club located in Seattle. She had been living in Seattle since February 2003. Her work included successful campaigns such as the Cool Cities Campaign, preserving the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, and protecting Washington’s Dark Divide. In addition to influencing political policy, she was an effective organizer of volunteers. She especially enjoyed her work with high school and college students.
Prior to moving to the NW office in Seattle, Shannon had worked in Columbus for the Ohio Chapter of the Sierra Club as a Transportation Policy Analyst from June of 2000 to February 2003.
Shannon earned her Masters Degree in 2000 from Lesley University through the Audubon Expedition Institute in Environmental Education. She received her undergraduate degree from Miami University in 1998 and was a 1994 graduate of Mentor High School, where she was active in theater, volleyball and was a member of the National Honor Society.
In addition to her passion for the environment, she loved hiking, backpacking, and traveling. Her goal was to set foot on each continent. She had backpacked the mountains of Alaska, studied and lived in Europe, and was planning a backpacking trip to South America in February. She also had participated in several half marathons and triathlons.
Shannon is also survived by her grandmother, Katharina D’Ambrosio, aunts Yvonne and Sharon D’Ambrosio of Lehigh Acres, FL, Connie Al Ehrke of Eastlake, OH, and Lori Brett Jordan of Florence, SC, uncles Dale D’Ambrosio of Birmingham, AL, and Blair Donna Harps of Willoughby, OH. She will also be missed by Melissa Welsh, life partner of Melissa Harps.
A memorial was held in Seattle, WA on January 6, 2008. There will also be a celebration of her life in Kirtland, OH on January 20, 2008, in the Forest Room at Penitentiary Glen Lake MetroPark from 2 – 4 p.m. located at 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd, Kirtland, OH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sierra Club Foundation with a note stating “Shannon Harps Fund- Sierra Student Coalition Northwest”. Mail to Sierra Club Foundation, 85 Second Street, Suite 750, San Francisco, CA 94105, Attn: Kristi Davis.
We did not know Shannon but learned of her tragic death through the media. I’m sure if we did know Shannon she would have added to our lives as she did to those all around her. Our hearts go out to Shannon’s family and friends at this difficult time. Peace and blessing. Brian Silkworth and Bill Colter.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you during this time. Love always,
My sincerest apologizes to the Harps family. May her soul rest in piece.
Life is eternal, and love is immortal,
and death is only a horizon;
and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.
~Rossiter Worthington Raymond
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most tragic time. Paul&Denise Sorenson
Dear Ron, Angie and Melissa
It’s hard to understand why Shannon was taken from us but find comfort in knowing she made this family and the world around her a better place. God has given us one more angel above to look after us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cousin Barb, Jim, Dave and Jessica Kalamasz
Ron,
You have been a great friend over the years. Sometimes life is just so unfair. I am especially saddened when I hear of a death of a young person like our old friend Steve Miller and now your daughter Shannon. Although I had never met Shannon it sounds like she was an accomplished young lady and you should be proud of that. Our family will be thinking of you and your family in our prayers.
Jeff, Jan, Andrew and Rebecca Clarke
Ron and Angela,
A day does not go by without thinking of you during this difficult time. I thank God for the great memories you have of Shannon and pray that they will help carry you through the days ahead.
Never hesitate to reach out to your friends. We are all here for you.
Our deepest sympathies to all.
–John and Barbara Dorr
To Ron, Angla, Melissa and Mel. We feel like we have lost a family member also. Shannon was more than just a friend. Shannon you will alway be a member of the friday night dinner club. We love you all. Tina and Laurie
To Shannon:
Dear Friend, strong woman
You walked the talk and loved it
Passion, hope, love, life
Shannon, we will cherish the moments we’ve had with you. Your kind and generous spirit will always be remembered. We love you and will miss you.
Ron, Ang, Melissa, and Mel-
You are in our hearts.
Love,
Darryl, Linda, Dana, Laura, and Brian
Very sad when a young person has to die.
My condolences on the loss of your daughter.
Angela & Ron….
Words cannot express the grief and
sorrow we feel for you during this
time of unimaginable loss. You all
will be in our thoughts and prayers
for quite some time.
Our Deepest Condolences,
Bob and Marcia Liddy
Ange & Ron,
So sorry for your loss. You and Melissa are in our hearts and prayers. May happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time.
Love, Connie & Reno
I consider myself so blessed and honored to have been choosen to be your Aunt Connie. I love you Shanny! Till we meet again sweetie.
Ron, Ang, Melissa and Mel – you know how we feel – we love you all so much.
SHANNON YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL TO US AND SO MANY OTHER LIVES THAT YOU HAVE TOUCHED. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS. WE LOVE YOU AND WE WILL MISS YOU
RICK-PEGI-NICKY
Ron,Ang,Melissa,and Mel,
We can not put into words how sorry we are for your loss. Shannon was such a special person taken from this earth way to soon. We will miss her bright and bubbly smile. We did not get to see her often, but knew how sweet and caring she was. Shannon you were a very special and treasured part of the family and will forever be in our hearts and on our minds. The whole family will be in our thoughts and prayers. With much love and sympathy, Sherry and Rick Harps JR
Jacksonville, FL
Uncle Ron, Aunt Ang, Melissa, and Mel,
We can not express how sorry we are for your loss, but know that we will always think of Shannon and the memories we have. Shannon, you are the kindest person, and an absolutely great cousin. You will never know how much it meant to us that you flew to Ohio to come to our wedding!! We will miss you and we love you always!!
Love always.
Jason, Liina, Benjamin, and Abigail
Ron, Ang, Melissa and Mel,
Words can not tell the sadness in our hearts. To you all our deepest sympathy for your loss. We will miss her smile and gentleness toward all. You all are in our prayers and hearts.
Love you all, may God bless and see you soon.
Howard, Diana and Aaron
Shannon:
I wasn’t drafted to work tonight, so I’m home with my kiddo for New Year’s Eve for the first time in 5 years. I realize that it has been quite some time, but I wanted you and your family to know that I think of you every New Year’s Eve.
I am sorry. I am sorry I wasn’t able to get to you sooner, that I wasn’t able to save you, that I wasn’t closer, that I didn’t have my window rolled down so I could hear you, that I couldn’t stop him.
I was only 1.5 blocks away, and I had just finished up a traffic stop and was getting ready to end my shift and get home to my family when I got flagged down by a passerby.
There’s nothing that I can do to make up for me failing you, I just hope and pray that you are loved , fulfilled, and living within God’s Grace forever. I someday hope to be able to apologize in person. Until then, God Bless.
Shannon:
You are not forgotten. I never knew you, but we were neighbors in the neighborhood. The news was a terrible shock to us. An injury to one is an injury to all.