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 then met Thomas Chambliss through mutual friends. They married and welcomed their son Sam into the world in 1981. They built a beautiful home together on Mill Street in Eugene and were special part of that neighbor for many years. Although their marriage ended around 1998, Shannon and Thom remained close friends and continued to share many important family moments together, especially those involving their grandchildren.

Shannon’s professional life reflected her dynamic spirit 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 and was an enthusiastic member of every Eugene Celebration. Shannon was also well known for being part of the Oregon Country Fair family for over 50 years and led the Neighborhood Response Team (NRTs). She participated in the Kutsinhira Marimba ensemble along with many other local clubs and groups, and later embraced life in Yachats. Her and her husband Marv bought their dream home on 2nd street in Yachats and spent 20 years immersing themselves in the coastal community. 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, and spending time outdoors.

As a lifelong Democrat and passionate environmentalist, Shannon translated her deeply held values into direct action. She dedicated herself to preserving nature, championing equality, and opening doors of opportunity for others. Whether marching in a protest or participating in community rallies, she was a seasoned activist who never hesitated to stand up for her beliefs

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, Rachelle, 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 opened her heart to all of Marv’s children and their growing families, working hard to try to foster lasting connections with everyone. She and Marv loved being there to celebrate the milestones of Krista & Joe, and Mike, Kim & Braden, and took great joy in their lives and accomplishments. Shannon created family not only through tradition, but through love, presence, and connection

As a mother, Shannon offered quiet love, unwavering support, and practical wisdom. As a grandmother, she discovered a whole new layer of happiness in Cooper and Piper, and they truly adored their Nini. Her face lit up in their presence, and she poured endless love into their lives. She made sure every visit was filled with warmth, affection, and undivided attention. Their time together was far too short, but the vibrant memories they created together will undoubtedly last a lifetime and remain a treasured, living 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, 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, and often did.

Whether she was volunteering, advocating for a cause she believed in, traveling to a new place, growing her costume collection for 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—an extraordinary feat in a world where people so easily drift apart. Among many long lasting friendships, Shannon was also a part of two very tight nit groups of friends. These close friend groups met at least every year, carrying on a legacy of annual visits and celebrated milestones that lasted for decades. These special groups included The Magnolias, friends from school in The Dalles, and The Tasteful Ladies Guild, coworkers from OSLC. These friends meant the world to her, ensuring that no matter how much time passed, they always picked up right where they left off.

Shannon was blessed with a big family of four brothers and three sisters, and she was genuinely close with all of her siblings. Through life's inevitable hardships and proudest milestones, she was always someone they could rely on to be there for them. She treasured gathering with everyone at their annual family reunions, The Onion, which kept the entire sibling group and their families, close over the years. She was especially close to her sisters, sharing a bond filled with laughter and adventure. They loved running marathons together and going on trips, making the most of their time together. Her closeness with her siblings was a beautiful anchor in her life, and that tight-knit bond stayed close to her heart until her very last days.

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.