Globe
and Mail (October 2005)
Shanna Louise Elizabeth Larsen
Daughter, sister, friend, artist, athlete, swimming instructor,
professional figure skating coach. Born
on March 13, 1981 in
From
her earliest years, Shanna had a knack for hairstyling, often doing her own and
friends’ hair for skating competitions, parties and special events. She had an innate sense of fashion and style
and often set the trend.
Shan
made a mean lasagna and melt in your mouth pastry. She enjoyed a glass of wine
with family and friends. It always went
well with one of her favourite cheeses.
Shan
valued physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. She was involved with sports throughout
school-swimming, cross country running, skiing, track and field, soccer,
roller-blading and figure skating.
Shanna started skating at the age of three years. She enjoyed it for the recreation,
camaraderie, competition and the love of the sport. Shan achieved her Skate Canada Gold Medal in
Dance at 16 and became a professional figure skating coach in 2002.
Modest
about her art, Shanna excelled in high school and achieved the OAC Art
Award. She then pursued an Honours
Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Arts, through the
Shanna
had a kind and gentle spirit, always caring and willing to help. She had a passion for life, recognized by all
who knew her. Shan was an inspiration
for her co-workers and respected by all. Shanna had her dad’s sense of humour
and her mother’s laugh. She had a
serious respect for life, but could laugh at everything, including herself.
A
skilled swimming instructor and talented figure skating coach, Shanna loved
working with young children and was always willing to take on a challenge. She was an instructor who enjoyed working
with the hard to reach, the difficult, or the disadvantaged child.
Most
of all, Shanna loved life. She lived each day to the fullest, working hard and
playing hard. The sunflower was her favourite
flower and like it she loved summer and sunshine. She had a permanent tan that earned her the
nickname “Shan the Tan”.
Friends
were very special to Shanna. Never
wanting to be the centre of attention, she frequently was the centre of their
activities. They loved her huge smile,
her bright eyes and her warm personality.
A friend commented that she drew people together with her personality
and presence. During her two month stay
at the cancer treatment centre, nurses were astounded at the immense support
she received from friends, more than they had seen in their practice.
A
lifelong friend said “Shan spread her love over all of us. She touched many lives, our lives, everyone
in a way we will never forget”. Friends
were the sunshine of her life and she was the sunshine of theirs.
Remembering
Shan, a close friend shared the following for her Celebration of Life:
“A
friend is someone you choose wisely,
For
a friend is your own mirrored image,
Someone
to compliment your own self,
Someone
who indicates who you are as a person”.