Shannon Weatherhead-McCoy

1962 - 2024

Shannon May Weatherhead-McCoy, beloved wife of Kelly McCoy, passed away in Lethbridge after a courageous battle with illness on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at the age of 61 years.

 A private burial was held at the Burdett Cemetery prior to the service.

The celebration of Shannon’s life was held at the Burdett Community Hall, 311 Main Street, Burdett on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. 

Shannon is survived by her loving husband, Kelly; son Bret (Danica) McCoy of Fort Saskatchewan and their son Owen; daughter Spencer (Jordan) Whittaker of Lethbridge and their sons Luca and Noah, as well as her joyfully anticipated first granddaughter. She is also survived by her sisters Michele (Ron) Smith of Maple Ridge and Tami (Burke) Torscher of Taber; parents-in-law Don and Isabelle McCoy of Milk River as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

She was predeceased by her parent, Mavis and Larry Weatherhead; sister Jodi; brother-in-law Allan McCoy and sister-in-law Gloria McCoy, like her surviving family, they all benefited from her care in their lives.

Shannon came into the world on June 13, 1962, the first of four daughters born to Larry and Mavis Weatherhead. Small but strong, she was able to balance on her dad’s palm while held high in the air. This early demonstration of a brave and strong spirit was an important theme throughout her life, inspiring her to live countless adventures as well as helping her cope with health challenges. Shannon grew up in Burdett, attending elementary school there and high school in Bow Island. After graduating, her adventurous nature took her to Australia for a year on an agricultural exchange alongside dear friends. She returned home and completed her nursing studies at Lethbridge Community College and embarked on a career that brought her fulfillment and pride. On May 17, 1986, she married the love of her life Kelly McCoy of Milk River and began her nursing career. In 1989, she had her first child, Bret, in Regina, while Kelly finished RCMP training. The new little family made their way to Rae, Northwest Territories, where she enjoyed early motherhood and thrived as an outpost nurse. Her daughter Spencer, born in 1991, completed the family. When Kelly was transferred to Drumheller, Shannon worked at the Drumheller hospital and eventually acquired a position at the Drumheller penitentiary as Chief of Health Care. She held that position until 2005 when she went to work at the Peter Lougheed Hospital. The family relocated to Strathmore and eventually when her health made it difficult for Shannon to continue working, she reluctantly retired, and they transferred to Coaldale to be closer to family. Three precious grandsons came along and stole her heart. Beyond her fierce love for her family, and passion for caregiving, Shannon loved to travel with her husband and family, especially loving her trips to the Holy Land and to St. Maartin. She had a passion for raising beagles, treating them like humans, and spending time in her kitchen creating delicious meals for her family. While these last years, and last months in particular, brought many health challenges for Shannon, she fought with all her strength to stay with her family. It is that strength and determination to show up for her family that her loved ones will draw on in the coming days.

If friends so desire, memorial donations to honour Shannon’s memory can be made directly to the Alberta SPCA, 17904 - 118 Avenue N.W., Edmonton, Alberta T5S 2W3 www.albertaspca.org or to Cure HHT Canada, 827 - 27 Avenue East, Vancouver, British Columbia V5V 2L1 www.curehhtcanada.org.

The McCoy and Weatherhead families wish to thank all the medical professionals, friends and family involved in her care and comfort.