Anne Rose Shanahan passed away peacefully on September 5, 2023, at the age of 92, in the city she loved, New York. Anne was born to Thomas J. Shanahan and Anne Rose (née Burke) Shanahan in Brooklyn, NY. Anne was a scholar, a gifted artist, a beloved sister, aunt and an avid birdwatcher. She spent her early years as a teacher at both Marymount Academy and Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York. An accomplished academic, Anne spent a year studying theology at Regina Mundi in Rome. She also received a doctorate in history and a master’s degree in theology. After history, Anne’s true passion was nature. She was happiest amongst the bird watchers of Central Park photographing the birds, butterflies, flowers, and fauna. Her photographs were featured in multiple publications and exhibited at the Museum of Natural History and the New York University Institute of Fine Arts.
Anne Shanahan was loved by all simply because she was kind and polite to everyone. Birding can be challenging, but Anne always had your back. She made birding and photography fun! Anne was one of the longest Pale Male followers, and she shared her knowledge with all those who fell in love with this beautiful Red-tailed Hawk. She always managed to find and photograph Pale Male on Christmas Day, her definition of a happy holiday. Anne spent years during migration photographing dead birds around the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Despite her attempts to get the museum to place decals on the windows, her pleas fell on deaf ears. But she encouraged the younger people she met to continue to push the museum to change, hoping a new generation will succeed in protecting the birds. That would be a great tribute to Anne.
Because Anne’s funeral was private, there will be a memorial gathering on November 12, 2023 (Sunday) from 1-3 pm by Azalea Pond. All are welcome to join us.
—Jean Shum