Linda Patricia Shannon

Born in the suburbs of Southern California on March 17th,1941, Linda was a St. Patrick’s Day baby and a Pisces who followed astrology closely throughout her life. As a young girl, she was bright and athletic – she learned to read when she was just three years old and could outrun the boys in her neighborhood, much to their chagrin.

Linda found her independent spirit as a teenager, when she decided to make her own way in the world and leave her troubled home behind. Originally a blonde beauty with piercing blue eyes,she was adopted by a group of young Malibu surfers, who took her in and introduced her to the City of Angels. During this chapter, she reinvented herself as “Shannon,” a moniker that would stick for the rest of her life. She got a job as a cocktail waitress at iconic clubs on the Sunset Strip, where, as she has referenced herself, ”I was a hit.” Though she was shy, she was urged onto the dance floor by such luminaries as John Wayne and Mick Jagger.

In the mid-60’s, Shannon learned how to style her friends’ hair and quickly realized she had a talent for both cut and color. She went on to earn a cosmetology license and began a career as a professional hairdresser. Throughout the 70’s and 80’s, she built a clientele of celebrities and multi-generational friends who loved her quirky personality and innate knack for hairstyling. After settling in West Hollywood with her beloved cats, she worked out of several hip salons across the city, expanding her list of faithful customers. She also transformed herself into a striking brunette – a look she maintained until close to her 80th birthday. Between her professional skills, compelling stories, groovy soundtracks and mischievous sense of humor, people flocked to sit in her chair. Several devoted clients became her lifelong friends and found family.

Shannon had a flair for fashion and was a skilled craftswoman. She could dye, glue, tuck and bedazzle like a pro, converting bland or oversized items into fabulous “pieces” (including shoes) which she wore around town, sold to clients and displayed in her bohemian, exceedingly purple home. The term “Shannonfie” became an expression amongst her friends. She was also a seeker. A New Age maven, she explored a wide range of alternative healing practices and spiritual paths, channeling messages and sharing resources. She wanted to heal her own heart – and bring others along with her. She was truly one-of-a-kind, brimming with insights about relationships, addiction and human behavior.

In her final hours, Shannon received loving visits from close friends who played gentle music and surrounded her with rose petals and crystals. She died comfortably at Providence St. Elizabeth Care Center in the early morning of February 13th, 2024.