Assunta "Sue" Barra Shanahan

Assunta “Sue” Barra Shanahan of Ithaca, NY passed away Saturday, April 9 surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Ithaca, NY on August 15, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Lena Cinotti Barra. She graduated from Immaculate Conception School and Ithaca High School, class of 1945. Sue and her husband, Art, met while he was stationed at Cornell with the NROTC Program. They were married on November 26, 1960 at Anabel Taylor Chapel on the Cornell Campus. She and Art, who was in the US Navy, lived in Kodiak, Alaska, San Pedro and San Diego, California as well as Schenectady, NY. Following her husband’s retirement from the Navy, they settled in Ithaca, NY in 1971 and have lived for 50 years in their home where they raised their three sons. Sue held jobs at Ithaca College, Agway (formerly G.L.F.) and retired from Cornell University in March of 1990 as an Administrative Assistant. Sue was a member of the Northeast Senior Citizens, the Cornell Community Club and longtime member of St. Catherine of Siena Church. She trained as a Red Cross Nurse’s Aide and volunteered her services at local hospitals and nursing homes; she also volunteered for many years with the March of Dimes, Meals on Wheels and Kitchen Cupboard. Sue also enjoyed such hobbies as bowling, golfing, and archery. She spoke often of her many blessings – faith, family and friends. She enjoyed her many nieces and nephews, who always showered her with much love.

Sue is survived by her sons and spouses, Patrick Francis Shanahan of Ithaca, NY, Jeffrey Joseph and Renee Harkness Shanahan of Ashburn, Virginia and Christopher Jon and Gail Levin Shanahan of Wayne, NJ; grandchildren, Olivia Susan Harkness Shanahan and Chelsea Nicole Harkness-Lumpkin of Ashburn, Virginia and Alex Howard and Justin Christopher Shanahan of Wayne, NJ; sisters in law, Mary E. Abrams and Margaret Neff of Daphne, Alabama; great grand-children Braedyn, Ara, and Emmett Lumpkin, several nieces and nephews, as well as many great nieces and great nephews.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by siblings, Phyllis M. Isch (1995), Mary B. DeLong (1997), Antionette N. Sellers (1997), Nicholas J. Barra (2012) and Sgt. Michael J. Barra (who died February 20, 1951 while a prisoner of war in Korea); nieces and nephew, Deborah Mary DeLong (1951), Sandra DeLong Bell (1995), Grant R. DeLong (2003) and Deborah Ann Sellers (2004).

There are no calling hours. Private burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Ithaca, NY. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30a.m. on Saturday, May 7 at St. Catherine of Siena Church. Flowers are graciously declined. Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences at www.bangsfuneralhome.com

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