Kara Marie Shanahan Obituary (1977

NEWPORT--Kara Marie Shanahan, 31, passed away January 21, 2009 after a lifelong illness. She was born September 16, 1977 in Boston, MA a daughter of Kevin and Jean (Driscoll) Shanahan. She lived in Boston until the age of 14 and then moved to Maine. Kara graduated from Nokomis Regional High, Class of 1996. She overcame the adversity of receiving two kidney transplants: the first at age 12 and the second at age 27. Kara was considered to be a medical wonder. She loved listening to music, using her computer, and hanging out with friends, especially her best friend Kelly. She had her own special sense of humor which attracted many friends in her short life. She will always be loved and sadly missed by all who knew her. "Never forget the importance of organ donation and please support the National Kidney Foundation". Kara is survived by her mother and stepfather, Jean and Phil Lagasse of Newport; a brother, Patrick Souza of Newport; 2 sisters, Bethany Fowler of Carmel and Stephanie Lagasse of Bangor; maternal grandparents, Nathan and Pauline Driscoll of Newport; aunts and uncles, Sandy and husband David St. Pierre, Joan and husband Peter Leadbetter, all of Newport; Greg and wife Brenda Driscoll of Contoocook, NH, and Jim and wife Theresa Driscoll of Fort Wayne, IN; 2 nephews and a niece, that she loved dearly; and many cousins. Friends may call from 9 to 11 A.M. Monday, January 26th at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main Street, Newport, where funeral services will be held at 1 P.M. with Pastor Al H. Worden officiating. Spring burial will be in the Morse's Corner Cemetery, Corinna. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to assist with expenses, c/o Crosby & Neal.