Shannon Marie Ambrose, (neé Fenech), age 61, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, entered eternal life on Sunday, September 20, 2026, surrounded by her family. She passed away from complications of interstitial lung disease, an illness diagnosed only ten days earlier.
Shannon was born on February 2, 1965, in Monroe, Michigan, to Terrence Anthony and Carol Ann Fenech. Raised in Grand Rapids, she attended St. Jude School, graduated from Northview High School, and studied communications at Western Michigan University. Music was a lifelong passion; gifted with a beautiful voice, Shannon frequently sang at weddings and funerals, and shared a deep love for musical theater, Broadway standards, and Disney classics.
In 1989, Shannon married Joseph Greene, and together they raised two children, Benjamin and Erin, in Comstock Park and Grand Rapids. As a mother, Shannon was devoted, affectionate, and spirited. She kept family life organized, rarely missed a school program or sporting event, and made every holiday and milestone feel special. Her home was always filled with warmth, music, and laughter.
When her daughter Erin became seriously ill, Shannon served as her constant advocate, caregiver, and protector. Erin’s death in 2016 at age 24 was a profound loss that Shannon carried forever, but it also inspired her life’s work. Drawing on her personal experiences, Shannon worked as a private elder caregiver and family outreach specialist with Senior Helpers and Care Resources PACE, helping families navigate complex medical, insurance, and hospice needs with dignity and compassion. Her career also included managing residential properties for low-income housing support, real estate, and working as a travel consultant with AAA.
Years after first meeting at Northview High School, Shannon reunited with David Ambrose through her caregiving work. Their friendship blossomed into a loving partnership, and they were married on October 26, 2023, in an intimate ceremony at their home. Together they built a steady, joyful life on Valley Avenue and at Six Lakes, centered on family, companionship, and mutual devotion.
Shannon took immense pride in her family and delighted in her role as "Grammy" to Isabelle, Declan, and Callum. Just one day before her passing, she was blessed to hold her newborn grandson, Callum, in her arms at the hospital.
Direct, organized, and deeply generous, Shannon lived by the belief that love was an action—demonstrated through phone calls returned, appointments made, hands held, and always showing up when it mattered most.
Shannon was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Erin Marie Greene, and by her parents, Terrence Anthony and Carol Ann Fenech.
She is survived by her husband, David Ambrose of Grand Rapids; her son and daughter-in-law, Benjamin and Taylor Greene of Grand Rapids; her grandchildren, Isabelle, Declan and Callum; her brothers, Michael (Jane) Fenech of Allendale and Todd (Laura) Fenech of Rockford; her nieces and nephews, Stephen Fenech, Scott (Lindsey) Fenech, Stepfanee (Brent) Dubay, Sierra Fenech, Matthew (Grace) Fenech, Lauren Fenech (Zeke Crossley), and Emily (Chris) Melnick; and many cousins and dear friends who were family by every measure that mattered to her.
Shannon’s family wishes to thank the physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and staff of Trinity Health Grand Rapids, particularly the pulmonary, intensive-care and palliative-care teams, for the extraordinary skill, kindness and candor they gave Shannon and her family during her final days.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1120 Four Mile Road NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday, October 3rd at 11:00 am, with Fr. Ayub Francis presiding. Shannon’s family will receive visitors at the church beginning at 10:00 am. A luncheon and celebration of her life will follow at a location to be announced.
