Shanen was born in Edmonton on Dec 28, 1960, and died of metastatic stomach cancer on September 18, 2025. She is survived by her sister Corrine Wallace and was pre-deceased by her brother, Mark McCawley.
Shanen graduated from Archbishop O’Leary High School and completed a forestry program at NAIT. Following this she worked as surveyor. During this time she met her husband and soulmate, Chris Hanna, in 1979 and they had two children, Shaun and Elysia.
While raising her family, she worked for Alberta Health Services from 1985 until her retirement in 2022, first as unit clerk, then as a medical education assistant at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. After a period with Addictions and Mental Health, she moved to the University of Alberta Hospital stroke program as a data analyst.
Shanen was a kind and warm person who quickly made friends. She was a gifted seamstress and quilter. She and Chris enjoyed gardening and traveling. They especially enjoyed visiting relatives in Australia and Nova Scotia.
In addition to her husband and two children, Shanen is survived by two grandchildren, Hayden Hanna and Ayla Oxford, and two great-grandchildren.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The family is very grateful for the care provided to Shanen at the Cross Cancer Institute and hospice at Gene Zwozdesky Centre Norwood.