Shannon Renee O'Brien
October 17th, 1969 - February 15th, 2025
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Shannon's Obituary
Shannon O’Brien, age 55, of Saint Joseph, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Hanson Hospice, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 17, 1969, in Eau Claire, Michigan, to Patricia Crawford. At an early age, Shannon was adopted by her grandparents, Nelson and Lila Baumeister, who lovingly raised her as their own in Watervliet, Michigan. She grew up in a home filled with warmth, love, and unwavering support. Beyond her grandparents, the entire Baumeister family embraced her as one of their own, with her many cousins and extended family welcoming her as a sister. Surrounded by their love, she flourished into the strong, kind, and compassionate woman that so many came to admire.
A graduate of Watervliet High School, Shannon was well-known for her athleticism and was crowned Miss Watervliet in 1987. She went on to compete in the Blossomtime Pageant, where she was a Top Five finalist for Miss Blossomtime. Her warmth, kindness, and ability to connect with everyone left a lasting impression on those who knew her. She was beautiful in so many ways—her kindness, her resilience, and the love she poured into those around her.
Throughout her life, Shannon was blessed with deep and lasting friendships, especially with her best friend since high school, Dixie Phelan. The two grew up side by side, navigating life’s milestones together—from high school memories to raising their first children at the same time. They shared weddings, baptisms, celebrations, and challenges, always supporting one another through every moment. Dixie and her children remained an important part of Shannon’s life, a bond that lasted through every season.
After high school, Shannon married Kerry Daniel, and together they had two children, Kristan and Tyler. Later, she married Travis O’Brien, and they were blessed with triplets: Madison, Abigail, and Caitlin, whom she lovingly raised in Michigan. While staying home with the triplets, she worked part-time at J.C. Penney, where she enjoyed capturing family memories through photography.
Once the girls were a little older, Shannon pursued her dream of becoming a nurse, attending Lake Michigan College to earn her RN/BSN degree. She went on to build a fulfilling career in healthcare, dedicating herself to her patients with Fresenius, Notre Dame, Lakeland Hospital, and Mary Free Bed at Home. Her compassion and unwavering dedication to the well-being of others made a lasting impact on many lives.
Shannon’s greatest joy in life was her family. She was a devoted mother to five children and a loving grandmother to ten grandchildren.
Beyond her work, Shannon had a deep love for Notre Dame, a place that held a special part of her heart. She was fiercely proud of her Irish heritage and made sure everyone knew it—whether it was wearing a shamrock on her clothing, adding one to her signature, or surrounding herself with symbols of the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame wasn’t just a school to her; it was a reflection of her strength, faith, and unwavering pride.
Shannon also had a love for nature, especially plants, filling her home and garden with greenery that reflected her nurturing heart. She was also well known for her love of sweet treats, never passing up the chance to indulge in something delicious.
Shannon was a fighter. Diagnosed with cancer in 2019, she faced every battle with resilience, faith, and an unbreakable spirit. When the cancer spread to her brain in 2022, she refused to let it define her. Instead, over the past two and a half years, she leaned fully into her faith and strength, choosing to embrace each day with pure positivity. She focused on what mattered most—spending time with her family, making precious memories, and trusting in God’s plan. Her unwavering optimism, even in the face of the hardest days, was a testament to her deep belief that every moment was a gift. She inspired those around her not just by how she fought, but by how she lived—with gratitude, joy, and an unshakable trust in the goodness of God.
She is survived by her children:
• Kristan (Justin) Goodenough of Allegan, Michigan• Tyler (Lexi) Daniel of Saint Joseph, Michigan• Madison O’Brien, Abigail O’Brien, and Caitlin O’Brien, all of Michigan
She was a beloved grandmother to ten grandchildren, whom she adored:
• Willow (9), Tate (7), Wade (5), Jack (4), Riley (5), Debo (3), twins Tyler and Owen (2), Kerry (10 months), and Jett (9 months).
She is also survived by her mother, Patricia Crawford, stepfather Tom (Brenda) Baumeister, and sister Debbie (Tom) Carter of Watervliet, Michigan. Additionally, she is survived by her step-siblings, Tasha Baumeister, Tom (Jill) Golden, and Tina (Roger) Willoughby, as well as her many Baumeister cousins and extended family, who cherished her as one of their own.
She is preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Nelson and Lila Baumeister, who raised her with endless love and devotion.
Throughout Shannon’s cancer journey, her mother, Pat, and stepfather, Tom, devoted themselves to being by her side, offering their unwavering love, support, and care. Their dedication never wavered, ensuring that Shannon was surrounded by comfort and strength through every step of her fight.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 5:00 PM at:
Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
📍 419 Cherry Street, South Haven, MI 49090
A celebration of life meal will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Shannon may make a donation to the memorial fund for her children and grandchildren or to Angels of Hope, an organization that supported her during her journey with a grant.
“To the women before us, the women beside us, and the women who will come after us—Shannon’s fight was fierce, her spirit unyielding, and her love everlasting. She inspired us all.”
A graduate of Watervliet High School, Shannon was well-known for her athleticism and was crowned Miss Watervliet in 1987. She went on to compete in the Blossomtime Pageant, where she was a Top Five finalist for Miss Blossomtime. Her warmth, kindness, and ability to connect with everyone left a lasting impression on those who knew her. She was beautiful in so many ways—her kindness, her resilience, and the love she poured into those around her.
Throughout her life, Shannon was blessed with deep and lasting friendships, especially with her best friend since high school, Dixie Phelan. The two grew up side by side, navigating life’s milestones together—from high school memories to raising their first children at the same time. They shared weddings, baptisms, celebrations, and challenges, always supporting one another through every moment. Dixie and her children remained an important part of Shannon’s life, a bond that lasted through every season.
After high school, Shannon married Kerry Daniel, and together they had two children, Kristan and Tyler. Later, she married Travis O’Brien, and they were blessed with triplets: Madison, Abigail, and Caitlin, whom she lovingly raised in Michigan. While staying home with the triplets, she worked part-time at J.C. Penney, where she enjoyed capturing family memories through photography.
Once the girls were a little older, Shannon pursued her dream of becoming a nurse, attending Lake Michigan College to earn her RN/BSN degree. She went on to build a fulfilling career in healthcare, dedicating herself to her patients with Fresenius, Notre Dame, Lakeland Hospital, and Mary Free Bed at Home. Her compassion and unwavering dedication to the well-being of others made a lasting impact on many lives.
Shannon’s greatest joy in life was her family. She was a devoted mother to five children and a loving grandmother to ten grandchildren.
Beyond her work, Shannon had a deep love for Notre Dame, a place that held a special part of her heart. She was fiercely proud of her Irish heritage and made sure everyone knew it—whether it was wearing a shamrock on her clothing, adding one to her signature, or surrounding herself with symbols of the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame wasn’t just a school to her; it was a reflection of her strength, faith, and unwavering pride.
Shannon also had a love for nature, especially plants, filling her home and garden with greenery that reflected her nurturing heart. She was also well known for her love of sweet treats, never passing up the chance to indulge in something delicious.
Shannon was a fighter. Diagnosed with cancer in 2019, she faced every battle with resilience, faith, and an unbreakable spirit. When the cancer spread to her brain in 2022, she refused to let it define her. Instead, over the past two and a half years, she leaned fully into her faith and strength, choosing to embrace each day with pure positivity. She focused on what mattered most—spending time with her family, making precious memories, and trusting in God’s plan. Her unwavering optimism, even in the face of the hardest days, was a testament to her deep belief that every moment was a gift. She inspired those around her not just by how she fought, but by how she lived—with gratitude, joy, and an unshakable trust in the goodness of God.
She is survived by her children:
• Kristan (Justin) Goodenough of Allegan, Michigan• Tyler (Lexi) Daniel of Saint Joseph, Michigan• Madison O’Brien, Abigail O’Brien, and Caitlin O’Brien, all of Michigan
She was a beloved grandmother to ten grandchildren, whom she adored:
• Willow (9), Tate (7), Wade (5), Jack (4), Riley (5), Debo (3), twins Tyler and Owen (2), Kerry (10 months), and Jett (9 months).
She is also survived by her mother, Patricia Crawford, stepfather Tom (Brenda) Baumeister, and sister Debbie (Tom) Carter of Watervliet, Michigan. Additionally, she is survived by her step-siblings, Tasha Baumeister, Tom (Jill) Golden, and Tina (Roger) Willoughby, as well as her many Baumeister cousins and extended family, who cherished her as one of their own.
She is preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Nelson and Lila Baumeister, who raised her with endless love and devotion.
Throughout Shannon’s cancer journey, her mother, Pat, and stepfather, Tom, devoted themselves to being by her side, offering their unwavering love, support, and care. Their dedication never wavered, ensuring that Shannon was surrounded by comfort and strength through every step of her fight.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 5:00 PM at:
Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
📍 419 Cherry Street, South Haven, MI 49090
A celebration of life meal will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Shannon may make a donation to the memorial fund for her children and grandchildren or to Angels of Hope, an organization that supported her during her journey with a grant.
“To the women before us, the women beside us, and the women who will come after us—Shannon’s fight was fierce, her spirit unyielding, and her love everlasting. She inspired us all.”
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