Edith Anne Rachel (nee Gray) Shannon of Lauderdale Lakes in Elkhorn, passed away on Oct. 9, 2025, at the age of 78.
She was born on Nov. 6, 1946, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Anne Evelyn Elko (Cano) and Lawrence James Gray. She graduated from West Mifflin North High School and put herself through nursing school at the Shadyside School of Nursing in Pittsburgh. Over her 50-year career in anesthesia, Rachel worked as a CRNA at Arlington Hospital in Virginia, Lakeland Hospital in Elkhorn, West Allis Memorial Hospital, Mercy Hospital in Janesville, and Richland Center Hospital, and did locums at many more.
Edith is preceded in death by her parents, brother Florian Steve Elko, sister Evelyn (Ed Jett) Elko, beloved daughter Christen Michaela Shannon, and the love of her life, James Patrick “Jimmy” Shannon. She is survived by daughters Carol Marie “Carie” (Jeff) Gitlin, Catherine Irene “Kate” Shannon, and Cailan Michelle Shannon; and grandchildren Chase and Jenna Gitlin, and Michaela Shannon Cowen.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Elkhorn. A luncheon will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to St. Joseph’s Indian School or Doctors Without Borders.
