Shannon Louise McCarthy

In Loving Memory of Shannon McCarthy.

Shannon McCarthy passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on April 14, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon. She was 79 years old.

Born on December 31, 1946, in Vancouver, Washington, Shannon was the second of eight children born to Charles and Helen McCarthy. She grew up in The Dalles, Oregon, where her curiosity, independence, and love of people began to take shape. After attending Marylhurst College, she completed the University of Oregon’s innovative graduate program in Therapeutic Recreation, beginning a lifelong journey of learning, service, and advocacy.

As a young woman, Shannon married Ray Dodson while he was serving in the military. Together they lived in Germany for a number of years before returning to the United States. Their marriage later ended in 1978 amicably.

Shannon later met Thomas Chambliss through mutual friends. They married, welcomed their son, Sam in 1981, and built a beautiful home together on Mill Street in Eugene. Although their marriage ended around 1998, Shannon and Thom remained close friends and continued to share many important family moments, especially those involving their grandchildren.

Shannon’s professional life reflected her curiosity and her belief that work should make a difference. Early in her career with the City of Eugene Parks and Recreation Department, she helped establish a pioneering Adaptive Recreation program, creating opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully in community life. The program continues more than fifty years later, reflecting the lasting impact of her vision and commitment.

Her curiosity led her through many meaningful chapters. She helped edit the Oregon Atlas in the 1970s, conducted research in the University of Oregon Chancellor’s Office, and joined the original staff of the Oregon Social Learning Center’s working on the Oregon Youth Study in 1983, along with many other impactful projects.Shannon understood that communities are built one relationship at a time, and she spent her life building them. If she welcomed you into her life, you became part of her story. She had a rare ability to turn new acquaintances into friends and friends into lifelong connections. Through her work, activism, volunteer efforts, travels, and countless everyday conversations, Shannon created a sense of belonging wherever she went

Shannon’s commitment to community extended far beyond her professional life. She helped manage the Eugene Saturday Market in its early years, was part of the Oregon Country Fair family from its beginnings, participated in the Kutsinhira Marimba ensemble, and later embraced life in Yachats. There she volunteered at the public library, joined the Yachats Ladies Club, and contributed her time and talents to the community she loved.

Shannon met Marv Wigle through university work meetings when he was the budget director for Oregon’s state universities. Together they built a life filled with travel, music, the arts, friendship, and adventure. Marv was a talented musician who played piano, euphonium, trombone, harmonica, electric keyboard, and classical guitar. Shannon and Marv shared a deep appreciation for the arts, especially attending performances by Marv’s daughter, Krista Wigle, a respected opera singer who performed in traveling Broadway productions, as well as piano concerts, theater, and cultural events.

Shannon embraced life fully. She traveled throughout the United States and around the world, finding joy in new places and experiences. At home, she loved gardening, especially her lavender and flowers, hiking, walking the Oregon coast, reading, knitting, appreciating art and theater, and spending time outdoors.

A lifelong Democrat, environmentalist, and activist, Shannon stood firmly for the causes she believed in. She cared deeply about protecting the environment, supporting equality, and creating opportunities for others.

Perhaps Shannon’s greatest gift was her way with people. She was a social butterfly who never met a stranger. She could begin a conversation with a neighbor on a walk or someone standing nearby at a pharmacy and make that person feel like an old friend. She maintained friendships across decades and distances, helped organize family gatherings, celebrated milestones, and brought people together.

She also knew how to have fun. Shannon had style, confidence, and a wonderful sense of humor. She could dress beautifully for the theater one evening and dress as a cow for the Eugene Celebration parade another day. She wore a wig and tutu with the Umbrella Brigade during the Yachats Fourth of July Parade because she understood that joy mattered and humor was invaluable.

Above all, Shannon loved her family. She is survived by her son, Sam (Lisa) Chambliss; her grandchildren, Cooper and Piper Chambliss, who were the light of her life; her children by marriage, Krista (Joe) Wigle and Mike (Kim) Wigle; her grandson by marriage, Braden Wigle; her brothers and sisters; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Shannon embraced Marv’s children as her own. She was deeply supportive of Krista, Mike, Kim, and Braden and took great joy in their lives and accomplishments. She created family not only through tradition, but through love, presence, and connection.

As a mother, Shannon offered quiet love, unwavering support, practical wisdom, and the confidence that her family always had someone in their corner. As a grandmother, she found tremendous joy in Cooper and Piper, and they adored their Nini. Their time together was far too short, but the memories they created together will hopefully last a lifetime and remain a treasured part of their family story.

Shannon believed life was meant to be shared. She filled hers with family, enduring friendships, meaningful work, spirited conversations, laughter, travel, music, gardens, and service to others. Every community she joined was stronger because she was part of it. Every family gathering was richer because she helped bring people together. Every friendship she made was one she intended to keep for life.

Whether she was volunteering, advocating for a cause she believed in, tending her garden, traveling to a new place, growing her costume collection for parades and any event that could be dressed up for, or simply striking up a conversation with someone she had just met, Shannon had a remarkable gift for making others feel seen, welcomed, and valued.

Remarkably, she actively kept friendships for a lifetime. Two of her close friend groups met every year. The Magnolias, friends from school in The Dalles, and The Tasteful Ladies Club, coworkers from OSLC.

Her legacy lives on not only in the communities she strengthened and the causes she championed, but in the countless relationships she nurtured. Those connections—woven across family, friendships, neighborhoods, and communities over a lifetime—are the enduring measure of a life beautifully lived.

What she treasured most was being a mother, and then a grandmother.

A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), Planned Parenthood, or another organization reflecting Shannon’s lifelong commitment to education, equality, environmental stewardship, and community.