Sietske Linnartz Shannon

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Sietske Shannon, wife of Lt. Col. Wm. J. Shannon (deceased), died unexpectedly at Memorial Hospital on March 23, 2010 surrounded by her loving family.  She was a native of Holland, a dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She was 85 years old.
Sietske Shannon was born in Den Haag, Holland on July 17, 1924 to Jeltje and Josef Linnartz...  She suffered through the German occupation during WWII which began when she was age 15.  She along with her family took in a Jewish couple from Poland who came by them through the underground.  They kept that couple hidden from the Nazi's for five years, until the war was over.  She and her family endured much trauma due to the occupation and subsequent harboring of the charges in their care, but they stood strong and resisted the Nazi occupation.
Sietske met William J. Shannon in Riems, France after the war was over.  William at the time was a young Army officer on leave.  They fell in love and William asked her to be his wife.  Sietske came to the states by way of Ellis Island.  She was taken in by William's family and they were married on February 1, 1947 in Brooklyn, NY.  She then applied for American citizenship and received that honor soon after.
Prior to her marriage to William, Sietske worked for the UN as an interpreter for the Dutch Army since she was fluid in French, German, Dutch and English.
William and Sietske Shannon lived in many places all over the world including Japan and Germany.  William retired from the military in 1971 in Bremerhaven, Germany where he was a commander and they returned to the states in 1973, settling in Savannah, Ga.
Sietske Shannon was an active member of the MOWW-Military Order of the World Wars, and TROA -Retired Officers Association for many years in Savannah, Ga.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William of 56 years, her parents, Jeltje and Josef Linnartz and a brother, Ted.
Survivors are 3 sons, Dennis Shannon (Carol) of Sarasota, Fl, Terrence Shannon (Deborah) of Covington, GA and William Shannon (Sue) of Dalton, GA, one daughter, Louise Shannon-Martin of Savannah, GA.
Her legacy lives on through the many grandchildren and great-grand children. Her grandchildren are Suzanne Vasquez, (Paul) Dennis Shannon, Jr. (Lisa), Laura Shipman, (Cory), Chris Simmons (Neelie) Jessica Shannon, Jamie Lee Shannon, Ross Scott (Brittney), Chelsea Spalding, Miranda and Ryder Martin.  She also has five step grandchildren, Kim Brower, Lisa Bentley, Jessica Alligood (James), Morgan Santos (Gustavo) and Kaliegh Sidwell (Dusty), five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock Thursday at Gamble Funeral Service, 410 Stephenson Avenue.
The funeral service will be held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at the graveside, Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, conducted by Father Ben Dallas.
Remembrances: The Humane Society for Greater Savannah - 7215 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31406-3922.