You only had to meet Shanelle once to understand why the words tenacious, kind, generous and beautiful apply. Shanelle Nicole Burns-Cook was born June 19th, 1980 in Plymouth, Indiana. Every good thing in this world started with a dream, and from an early age Shanelle had a vision for where she wanted to go, who she wanted to be, and what she wanted to accomplish.
Shanelle’s formative years were spent in Argos and nearby Culver, where she would sing in choir and at church, write skits to perform with her cousins, and snack on onions she’d snuck from her grandmother’s garden. Shanelle taught herself to play piano, classical of course, a hobby that carried on throughout adulthood. She also would journal voraciously, writing poetry and stories that showed her creative and organizational prowess. One story written in high school included a detailed cast of characters, descriptions of locations from the story as well as a fully illustrated map of the countryside from the tale. This is in addition to the more than fifty page manuscript.
Even from an early age, Shanelle always knew exactly what she wanted for herself. At 13, she penned a now infamous proclamation that she would “…never perform the act of matrimony” even having her grandmother witness the signing of the document. I wonder what her 13-year-old self would think when she accepted a marriage proposal by now-husband Phil Cook in the spring of 2019.
Phil and Shanelle officially tied the knot in 2021 in front of a packed room of family and friends. The party was exactly as she had planned with every timeframe outlined and every detail accounted for in true Shanelle style. Shanelle always had a thirst for travel, and her vision for adventure has subsequently led them to travel to London, visiting Buckingham Palace, the English countryside to see Mr. Darcy’s house, Tuscany to enjoy the serenity as well as a good glass of Brunello di Montalcino wine, and her favorite happy place, Maui, Hawaii where she loved to get up early and catch the ocean sunrise with a hot cup of coffee.
If you were to ask Shanelle’s friends what mattered most to her you would get a universal response: her son. Shanelle worked tirelessly to build an enviable life for the two of them, ensuring he had every opportunity to succeed. She took great pride in being a mother and poured all her resources into building a supportive and loving environment.
There is an old Spanish saying that goes “tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are” that is especially relevant to Shanelle. Everyone that Shanelle encountered in her life has been affected by her. Shanelle never gave up, not in challenging family or parenting situations. She never settled for second best in herself or in others, and she always encouraged you to be better. Shanelle had worked hard to ensure she was successful in life, but the beauty that also comes with her personality is that she also wanted her friends and family to be equally successful. Colleagues from the many schools and universities that she has worked with all attest to her tenacity and drive. Whether family, friend or work colleague, if Shanelle was adamant about an issue, she would discuss the 50 reasons why she felt as she did, and more often than not, you’d end up agreeing. She was brilliant and deliberate. If you were flirting with the idea of giving up, you could be throwing away something wonderful and that was not acceptable to her.
Her work ethic and personal ethos are also reflected in her success in her career. Reading every book imaginable and with exceptional hard work, Shanelle began her career as an assistant researcher at Culver Academies and 22 years later had worked her way to become Assistant Vice President, Advancement Operations and Campaign Planning at Loyola University Chicago, with 29 members on her team.
Shanelle was also a dedicated friend. Whether she sent you random texts about her loathing of the final season of Game of Thrones, or encouragement to pursue a better job opportunity, she was always there for those that called her friend.
Shanelle was taken from all of us much too soon, though she may be gone from this world, her spirit will continue to shine through the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her. May her memory be a blessing and her legacy inspire all of us to live with the same tenacity, kindness and generosity that defined her remarkable life.
Shanelle is survived by her son; her husband, Phil Cook; stepdaughters Thatch and Sophia Cook; father, Keith Burns; stepmother, Charlotte Burns; mother, Dorothy Pippenger; sister, Stefanie Pippenger; brother, Ty Burns; her favorite pup Tilly, and a host of other family members and friends who will cherish her memory forever.
Visitation will be held from 10:30am-12:30pm with a memorial service immediately following on Friday, February 16th at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N Michigan St, Plymouth, IN 46563 with Dr. Sam Boys officiating. Shanelle loved flowers, but she would also love for you to consider making a memorial contribution to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Service
Visitation
Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home
1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, IN 46563
10:30am - 12:30pm
Funeral Service
Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home
1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, IN 46563
12:30pm
Lisa Fred says
So very sorry for your families loss. Thoughts and prayers for all of you.
Mamie (Geist) Ameling says
Sending prayers to the family. We were born on the same day at the same hospital and went to LaVille elementary together for a short time. She had so many more years to live, but will live on through many and hopefully this situation can bring light into the mental instabilities that even our closest family members are going through. R.I.P. dear Shannell
Ed Barcus says
Dorothy and Stefanie,
Please accept my most sincere condolences. I had the pleasure of meeting Shanelle many years ago and remember how genuinely kind she was. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts.
Marv and Diane Houin says
We are saddened to get word of Shantelle. She lived a full life, although ended far too early. Please accept our condolances.
Donna Whitmer says
Dear Dorothy & Stefanie,
My heartfelt condolences for the loss of Shanelle. May she soar with the angels!
Brandon Keele says
I am sorry for the family’s loss. Shanelle was a wonderful person. I would rent movies when she worked at the video store and spend another hour chatting with her. She will be so missed by everyone.
Anonymous Contributor says
My prayers for comfort and peace are perpetually ascending. I am truly sorry for this loss which is undoubtedly felt be countless family members, coworkers, and friends.
This young lady was a seemingly beautiful being and while heaven is a bit brighter to have her, the world is considerably more dim today.
Rest in peace, Shannelle. May a gentle understanding be achieved by those left behind.
Charles/Rita Hale says
We’re so very sorry for your loss. We only met Shanelle once but these beautiful words relate to everyone just how awesome she was.
Praying for the families for peace and understanding in this heartbreaking episode of your lives.
Ron and Bonnie Pike says
So so sorry for your loss we will keep you in our prayers
Donna Palbykin says
Dorothy & Stephanie,
I’m so sorry for your loss of your daughter and sister. My heart breaks for you. Sending prayers for comfort through this difficult time. Gone too soon ❤️
Al & Donna Palbykin
Andrew Hall says
Dear Dorothy and Stef,
I’m so incredibly sorry to hear of your loss today. My heart really goes out to you and I’m sending all my love and will be thinking and praying for you daily.
I didn’t really know Shanelle as I was too young at the time. But the few times I had contact with her she was such a gentle spirit and you instantly loved her as I’ve always loved and admired anyone from your family. Idk what the mould looked like or the recipe but whatever it was all of you were made of such wonderful things. And have had such a great impact on others lives.
Much love your friends
Andrew, John, and Ann Hall. Tabitha and Layla
Rosalyn says
I’m Rosalyn, Leslie’s Mother, and I know how deeply Shanelle and my Daughter loved each other- since they met when Conner was 5yrs old.
Yes, everything is accurate in her life story. Her focus and goals were for Conner, a deeply cherished son. He was given as much as she could give. When he told his Mother, he especially liked the singer/musician Billy Joe. She purchased the airline fare and tickets for her and Conner to enjoy his concert in New York.
When Leslie told her brother Jonathan and me, sobbing and in shock, she could get out this thought: “Not many got into my heart, you know, but she did! She never let my move East distance us. We spoke every other day. We told each other everything we were facing, professionally and personally.”
We hurt for Phil and Shanelle’s family and friends. We’re so deeply sorry. All who were fortunate enough to know her were blessed.
Rosalyn
Pam Bishop says
Beautiful tribute of her life and love. Prayers.
Pam Bishop
Ren Van Gilder says
We are so very sorry for the loss of this beautiful young woman. We pray that God will hold all of you tightly, in His arms, in this very sad time, and forever.
Most sincerely,
Ren and Beverly Van Gilder
Sarah Macpherson Tamura says
I did not know her personally but I worked at Plymouth Parkview hospital in 1980. I was 16 years old and every day that I worked I would always go and look at the babies. I probably saw her as a newborn. It sounds like she has had a truly remarkable life and I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Love to you and your family.
Autumn Pennington says
My sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers for all the family. Shanelle was always a positive, happy, uplifting person. I always saw her with a smile on her face. To lose someone like thos is very sad, so sorry for your loss.
Autumn Pennington says
My sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers for all of the family. Shanelle was a very happy, uplifting, sweet natured person that I had the pleasure to be acquainted with for a period of time. I feel privileged having known her. To lose someone as her is very sad. So sorry for your loss.
Cheryl Sue Middleton says
I knew Shanelle as one of my daughter’s best friends during her formative years. She had a way of pointing her friends in the right direction without losing sight of the fun in life. Her drawings were inspiring. So talented and creative. My life and the world is a better place for the short time she was able to share with us.
Rita Verbocht says
Much love and prayers to Shanelle’s family. I was privileged to have worked with her this past year at Loyola University Chicago. She was a wonderful person and will be missed.
Kim Richards says
While I never had the pleasure of meeting Shanelle, I work at Loyola and by reading your tribute and the one from her colleagues, I can tell she was an amazing person. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Sandy Thomas says
Keeping all of the family in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda Myers says
George, Bruce Cook, and the Burns family. My prayers are with you. We are all connected and your pain is our pain. Our prayers are with you. Thinking of you. Linda Myers
Patricia Leech says
Dorothy and Stefanie, & Phil,
I am so saddened to hear of Shanelle’s passing and even tho I did not know her, I feel like she was quite an accomplished person from reading all about her. This was such a tribute to her and well written. May the Lord Jesus hold you ALL in his loving arms as you go thru this very difficult time.
Olena M. Marshall says
Deepest sympathies. I am so sorry for your loss.
Every day Shanelle carried a special light and will be remembered at Loyola University Chicago.