Obituary of Shawna Lynn Major

Shawna Lynn Major
April 4, 1957 - March 29, 2024

Shawna passed away peacefully on Friday, March 29, 2024. She is survived by her sister Jackie Major; niece Meagan Kirk; great-nieces and nephews Autumn, Eli and Asher; cousins Sherry, Amber, Quinn, Shelly, Billy, Marina; as well as her aunt Mel and uncle Rennie.

Shawna was a victim of family violence at three weeks old. She was shaken by our father and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Following that incident, Shawna was placed in the loving care of a German couple, the Beitels, who raised her until she was about 14 years old.  They treated her like a princess.  During those years Shawna had very little contact with any family with the exception of her sister Jackie.

Shawna was then returned to the care of our mother.  Our mother spent the remainder of her life calling Shawna fat, stupid and lazy.  She also tried very hard to isolate her from her friends.

Shawna had four strokes, two heart attacks, three stints and lung cancer, which resulted in the removal of her lower right lobe.  And yet, she stood by our mother until her death, caring for her even though her own health was greatly affected.

Shawna’s friends all recognized the diamond in the rough that she was.  These were not just casual, fairweather friends, only there for good times. They were life-long friends who were there for all the ups and downs that life can bring.  Shawna’s friends were the family that chose her.  Something else that brought Shawna immense joy were the dogs and the wild rabbits at her apartment complex.  She always had treats for the dogs and carrots for the rabbits.  Despite receiving multiple warning letters regarding feeding the rabbits, Shawna continued feeding them anyway.  She was strong-willed (stubborn) and once she had something in her head, she followed through with it despite what others would say.

Shawna and Susie Parks were so close they, they often joked they should have been lesbian partners.  Their 50-year friendship outlasted marriages, boyfriends and other relationships.  Monica Jalufka and Shawna were friends for over 28 years, and Shawna always said that Monica had “heart.”

Susie and Monica, along with Diane, Chris, Maggie, Ron, Peter and Jean included Shawna in every aspect of their lives – births, deaths, marriages, divorces, many good meals, and of course, good old parties and trips to the casino. All her friends saw her beautiful soul that others may have missed, and walked with her through life, step-by-step until her passing. They all spent considerable time with her during her final stay in the Pasqua Hospital, and later Grace Hospice, laughing, reminiscing, and caring for her until the very end.

Good night little sis, see you in the tomorrows.