Shannon Kalia

Shannon Kalia, age 29, passed away on December 8th at Strong Memorial Hospital. Shannon is predeceased by her father, David Kalia; her older brother, Terry Henriksen; and her grandparents, Charles and Lorraine Kleine. She is survived by her mother, Darlene Kleine-Briseno, siblings Ajay and Anika Kalia, and her many friends-turned-family. Loved and cherished as her sisters-of-the-heart are Desiré (Giddens) Stevenson and Cassidy Hammond.

Shannon was born on October 15th, 1994, in Fox Lake, Illinois. She was a graduate of the School of the Arts, the Continental School of Beauty, and Monroe Community College. She loved the time she spent working at the YMCA and Forever Friends as a teacher for young children. She adored everything Disney, anything pink or fluffy or cheetah print, The Lion King, Fall Out Boy, Ice Nine Kills and My Chemical Romance, Chinese food and that fantastic buffalo chicken dip, Sephora and cute nail art, the Barbie Movie, Halloween and Christmas, and any kind of late-night hangout with friends. Shannon could find humor in absolutely everything—she loved making people laugh. Even in the most challenging moments, she would drop a joke between the sniffles and tears and throw an entire room into hysterics.

Shannon was a magnetic force, always finding friendships wherever she went: work or school, Emergency Room hallways, across the cash register, and even over customer service helplines. She would remember the tiniest details about your life and ask you about it weeks, months, or even years later. Shannon was forgiving and always open-minded. Above all else, Shannon was passionate about people and loved absolutely everyone who had the honor of knowing her.

Shannon had a positive influence on every single person that surrounded her. She wasn’t afraid to love deeply and without judgment. She brought warmth, excitement, and kindness to every single soul she encountered. It was impossible not to be happy around her. She gave the best compliments and even better hugs. She wasn't afraid to be unapologetically herself. When someone needed love, she was there to give it tenfold. She was a safe space for so many of us, helping us to find compassion, to heal, and to grow.

Shan, you're safe now. You’re not in pain anymore. Rest easy. Fly high.