Shannon Brooke Bell

Shannon Brooke Bell was born in Memphis, TN on August 14, 1984. She would have grown up as a beautiful southern belle had it not been for her parent's desire to relocate the family to Colorado drawn by their love for the magnificent Rocky Mountains. In 1985, with Shannon, at the age of 7 months, along with Jason, her 2 year old brother, the family made the move. Her parents, Fred and CJ, wanted the good life for their children first settling in Longmont for a short period and then moving to Westminster where they have resided for 26 years. Shannon's oldest brother, 14 years her senior, Douglas, would often travel from Chicago to stay with the family, and the three kids bonded in a strong loving relationship. Shannon attended Zerger Elementary School where she excelled at one of her best attributes - making friends. She loved going outside to play with her neighborhood friends, and would often come home all rough and tumble dirty from being active and adventurous. Highly energetic, she was always on the go with her friends - rollerblading, swimming, bicycling, or just going down to the neighborhood candy store to get loaded up on sugar. She wanted to try everything, including ice skating lessons, gymnastics, Brownies, little league baseball. She was always excited going on family summer camping trips in the mountains and being with nature. She loved life and she loved her friends. As an adult, Shannon had often said that she considered her childhood years of carefree play with no responsibilities as the best time in her life. Shannon moved on to Moore Middle School where she continued adding to her list of friends. She would often come home and speak fondly of new names never mentioned before. It was during this time period that Shannon expressed to her family that when she grew up, she wanted to become a firefighter. Her family was quite amazed, but totally supportive in all of her endeavors. She continued her schooling at Pamona High School. Still very active and adventurous, she learned to horseback ride with a friend and treasured that experience. She enjoyed music and going to concerts with her friends. She learned to snowboard and loved the mountains. She absolutely adored backcountry Jeeping in the rugged wilderness. Shannon graduated in 2002. Red Rocks Community College was her next step in life and she graduated with an Associates Degree in Fire Science Technology in 2005. Always looking for a challenge, it was during this time period that she accomplished her first sky dive. She also enjoyed dirt bike riding and white water rafting. Shannon worked as a preschool teacher at the Wooden Shoe for 11 years and was currently employed there at her time of passing. She loved her boss with all her heart and she cherished being around all the children. At the same time, she also worked as a volunteer firefighter for the Fairmount Fire District and absolutely adored her job. It was her passion. Unfortunately, her dream was taken away quite abruptly with a severe knee injury that required several operations and did not heal properly. Due to the discomfort and physically unable to continue as a firefighter, she felt compelled to leave the service. That was the saddest and most difficult day for her and she never got over it. With extreme sorrow and shock to all who knew her and loved her, Shannon's life was suddenly taken away in a car accident in Thornton on June 19, 2011 on Father's Day. For her family and those who loved her, there will always be a broken heart. In addition to her immediate family, she leaves behind her grandmother, Josette Roehm, an uncle, William Roehm, both of Memphis TN, and two aunts, Heidi Caver and Gretchen Reid, both of Tulsa, OK, and 11 cousins. She also leaves behind her beloved pet schnauzer, Schnapps, who continues to lay by the front door awaiting her return. Shannon's greatest accomplishments in her short life were her friends. She had many. Upon retrieval of her personal effects by family, it was noted on her cell phone contact list 342 names. As the wording reflected in the final scene of the Christmas movie, "A Wonderful Life", she was the "richest girl in town".

Reception:
Crossings Cafe
9901 W. 50th Ave
Wheat Ridge, CO