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Shannon Duke
May 29, 1963 - January 28, 2016
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<div itemprop="description">Shannon Dawn Duke <br />May 29, 1963 - January 28, 2016 <br /> <br />Shannon Duke, mother of Kayla Dawn Schewe and Tyler James Schewe, passed away peacefully at the age of 52. Shannon was known for her joie de vivre, her deep love of family and friends and her strong commitment to community. <br /> <br /> She was born in Shaunavon Saskatchewan and grew up in Eastend Saskatchewan, moving to Calgary in 1981 where she met Mark Schewe and had two children. She later added a summer home in Eureka, Montana. In both homes the values of friendship and community created countless memories for her children and loved ones. Shannon went to school in Eastend through grade 10 after which she attended LCBI in Outlook Saskatchewan for two years, graduating in 1981. She studied computer science post-secondarily, leading her to a degree and employment with Ernst &amp; Young and Microsoft. In 1999 she chose to leave Microsoft rather than accept a promotion, feeling the need to spend more time with her small daughter Kayla. This led to the start of her own consulting business (Revelations Inc.) and the birth of Tyler. In 2000, when Tyler was three months old, her world was rocked with a diagnosis of stage IV breast cancer. It was then that she fiercely embraced the mantra &quot;Carpe Diem,&quot; determined to live every day to the fullest. Not only did she survive, she thrived. She set out on a one-year worldwide trip with her husband and children, a &quot;vision quest&quot; as she called it, spanning 20 countries and five continents. This trip further deepened her spirituality and commitment to giving back as she observed the faiths of other cultures and witnessed human circumstances much less fortunate than her own. <br /> <br /> In honor of her 5-year survivorship, she formed a team of eighteen women in 2006-2007 who collectively raised over $175,000 for breast cancer. During this time she was approached by individuals seeking guidance on their cancer journeys as well as organizations for speaking engagements aimed at raising cancer awareness. Again her career shifted as she revamped Revelations Inc. to focus more on assisting individuals in clarifying their life goals and realizing their dreams. <br /> <br /> In 2012 the cancer returned and within weeks Kayla was also diagnosed with multiple brain tumors. This was to be the darkest period of her life. As she struggled to face her own bleak prognosis, she also had to process the horror of her daughter's illness while remaining a present, loving and supportive mother to both children. <br /> <br /> She would like to acknowledge Mark Schewe for being a wonderful coparent, her sister Diane and husband Bill for their incredible support, her long time companion Barry Poffenroth for the gift of unconditional love, her Board and All-Stars for their unwavering commitment, and her father Glen for his prayers and caring spirit. <br /> <br />She was preceded in death by two sisters, Wanda and Connie, and by her mother Evelyn (Pidt) Duke-Hrappstead. She is survived by the loves of her life: her precious munchkins Kayla and Tyler, her Father Glen Duke, her sister Diane Duke-Fend and husband Bill Fend, and her loving companion Barry Poffenroth. <br /> <br />Her family and loved ones would like to express appreciation to the many caregivers, both allopathic and alternative, for their compassionate care of Shannon throughout her journey. They would also like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to each and everyone of you, and there were many, who so generously gave time and energy to provide support wherever needed. <br /> <br />Please join us for a celebration of Shannon&rsquo;s life on Thursday, February 4 at 2:00 pm at Eden Brook Funeral Home, 24223 Township Road 242, Calgary (17th Ave SW and Lower Springbank Road). Feel free to wear a splash of purple. In Shannon&rsquo;s memory donations may be made to the Alberta Children's Hospital or to carpediemhappenings.com. <br /> <br />A website commemorating Shannon&rsquo;s life and legacy will soon be available to share stories, photos and messages for Kayla and Tyler to always remember the lives Shannon has touched. Search http://shiningstar.shannon-duke.com to sign onto the guestbook, learn more about her life and share your thoughts.</div>