Helen M. (Bombara) Shannon

Mrs. Helen Marie (Bombara) Shannon, 94, of Norwell, MA, originally from Douglas, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2022 at the Pat Roche Hospice Home in Hingham surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Paul W Shannon Sr. 

Mrs. Shannon is survived by her sister Elaine Kelly of Uxbridge and Douglas, and by five children, Paul W Shannon Jr and his wife Susan of Norton, Barbara KilCommons of Scarborough, ME, Steven Shannon and his partner Bernadette Lancaster of Midland Park NJ, Marybeth Robinson and her husband Bradford of Hingham, and Diane Shannon and her husband Michael Reynolds of Plymouth, along with 13 grandchildren, Paul Shannon, Elizabeth KilCommons, Greg KilCommons, Nate Shannon, Molly Shannon, Ryan Gallagher, Meghan Gallagher, Gizelle McCarthy, Tucker Robinson, Conor Rogier, Katie Rogier, Thomas Rogier, and Ronan Rogier. She was so proud to have six great-grandchildren and the love of many nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by her brother Francis (Frank) Bombara of Silver Spring, MD and brother-in-law Jack Kelly of Douglas, MA.

Helen loved being a unique  “leap year baby”, born at home during a snowstorm on February 29th, 1928 to Frank and Mary Bombara of Douglas, where she lived throughout her childhood and adolescence  and was very proud of her Slovak heritage. She had many fond memories of those days “growing up in the country” where she enjoyed ice skating on the ponds, riding her bicycle, playing field hockey, and being class valedictorian. Helen attended St. Joseph College in West Hartford, CT and earned her nursing diploma at Faulkner School of Nursing in Jamaica Plain, where she developed many life-long friendships. After many years as an RN in various settings, she changed careers and worked for the Department of the State Auditor for the last twenty years of her career, retiring in her 70’s.  Helen lived in West Roxbury for many years, loved summering and collecting sea glass at Humarock Beach, and later settled in Marshfield and then Norwell in 1978.  

Helen’s feisty independence, her “I’ll do it myself” attitude, and many interests sustained her throughout her senior years.  A self-professed “puzzle queen,” she loved decorating her house for every holiday and season, hunting down a bargain whether it be at Building #19 or Filene’s Basement, visiting her beloved sister Elaine, feeding the birds, planning and attending family celebrations, and walking for exercise every day.  She refused to slow down and prided herself on keeping her mind and body active and healthy well into her nineties (even though she professed to being technically  “only 23” in Leap Years). As the generous matriarch of her large extended family, she touched hearts with her thoughtfulness (sending special birthday and holiday cards to all and baking Sultana Cakes). Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and she will be sorely missed.

Her memorial funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 24th with a Mass in St Denis Church in Douglas at 10AM, and burial next to her husband Paul will follow in St. Denis Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: the Pat Roche Hospice Home, 86 Turkey Hill Lane Hingham, MA 02043, who provided extraordinary care, comfort and love to Helen and her family. To leave a condolence message for her family please visit: www.Jackmanfuneralhomes.com

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