Susan Shaughnessy, a very close family friend, like a cousin to us, has suddenly taken very ill and is in a coma. Everyone's thoughts and prayers for her and her family are very much appreciated. Susan is just 30 years old and has an amazing spirit about her which is exemplified in her strong Catholic faith.

We were told we should pray for a miracle. More information can be found on Matt & Michelle's blog.

[UPDATE #1:] Susan Shaughnessy passed away Monday afternoon, November 17, 2008. Her family was with her when she died. The wake will be on Friday, November 21 and the funeral on Saturday, November 22, both in St. Louis. More details when they become available.

[UPDATE #2:] I see by my server logs that many many people are searching for information about Susan's wake, funeral and memorial, including individuals from overseas. It is really a tribute to her amazing spirit that she is loved by so many. When I get information regarding the St. Louis wake and funeral and December memorial mass in Washington D.C., I will immediately post it here. If anyone has additional details you don't see here, please post them in a comment or send me an email and I will update this post.

[UPDATE #3:]

Close friends of Susan, Bea and Javier, were kind enough to pass along this photo of Susan Shaughnessy.

[UPDATE #4:] The Washington Times has a good article about Susan Shaughnessy entitled Requiem for Susan which explains more about her final days. The article even touches upon the impossible, trying to make sense of such a loss. See also, May her memory be eternal, also asking the qustion, "Why?"

Around the Web:

Radical Catholic Mom: With Sadness

Vox Nova: With Sadness

Julia Duin: Susan Shaughnessy, RIP
(Author of Washington Times article)

A day in the life: Susan Shaughnessy 1978-2008

Whispers in the Loggia: Between Heaven and Earth

Liberal Pastor in Burnsville: Grappling with The Death of a Friend

[UPDATE #5:]

Visitation
Friday, November 21, 2008, from 3:00 to 9:00 pm
Kutis Funeral Home
10151 Gravois Road
Affton, MO 63123
(314) 842-4458

Funeral Mass
Saturday, November 22, 2008, at 10:00 am
Saint Bernadette-Lemay
68 Sherman Road
Lemay, MO 63125
(314) 892-6882

Interment
Saturday, November 22, 2008, immediately after mass
Calvary Cemetery
5239 West Florissant Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63115
(314) 381-1313

[UPDATE #6:]

Susan Shaughnessy's obituary from STLtoday.com where there is also an online guest book people can sign and leave messages:

Susan M. Shaughnessy

Shaughnessy, Susan M. baptized into the hope of Christ's resurrection, Mon., Nov. 17, 2008. Beloved daughter of Patrick and Victoria (nee Kurczynski) Shaughnessy; loving sister of Patrick and Tom Shaughnessy; dear friend of Eduardo Granados Garcia; dearest Godmother of Dani Carreno and Anthony DuVinage; our dear niece, great-niece, cousin and friend to many.Services:Funeral from KUTIS AFFTON Chapel, 10151 Gravois, Sat., Nov. 22, 9:15 a.m. to St. Bernadette Catholic Church for 10 a.m. Mass. Interment Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions appreciated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Visitation Fri., 3-9 p.m.

[UPDATE #7:]

A paper written by Susan Shaughnessy in 2006 is available online entitled, "Community: Context and Fruit of Chastity."

It begins with a quote from Karol Wojtyla's "Love and Responsibility": "Love should be seen as something which in a sense never 'is' but is always 'becoming,' and what it becomes depends upon the contributions of both persons and the depth of their commitment."

The paper concludes with Susan's own words: "Here we see again concretely how community and chastity circumincesse to lead one fuller into the life of true love."