Celia Savonen

Celia Kay Savonen, 70, died peacefully in her sleep at home on September 4, 2023, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. Her husband, Brian Shannon, was sleeping beside her. She was on hospice at the time. Celia herself was a hospice social worker for many years, touching countless lives in the Detroit metropolitan area. She had the rare gift of really listening to others and was resourceful in finding solutions to the problems faced by the families of a dying loved one. The gratitude of so many families gave her great satisfaction. Celia was funny and smart, with a sneaky wit and a prodigious memory. Born and raised on the west side of Detroit, after graduating from Mackenzie High School Celia moved to Colombia to begin college, living with her big sister Linda and Linda’s husband Alfredo Galindo. She learned Spanish on the fly, watching telenovelas while attending classes. She finished her degree in Detroit at U of D Mercy and earned her MSW at Wayne State University. Celia and Brian married in 1987. Their child, Briar Shannon, was born the following year. Celia’s parents, Virginia and Otto Savonen, preceded her in death. She is survived by Brian, Briar, Linda, Alfredo, the Galindo children she spent much time with in their youth—Lila (John Halliwell), Robert, and Andy (Sandy Conners)—and Brian’s family, including his sister Maureen, her children Kelly and David, and his nephew Joseph (Leah Flagg-Wilson) and their son, Logan Shannon. Celia was a clear-eyed, compassionate woman, much loved by her family and many friends. Perhaps because she listened so well, she was a genius at gift-giving. She loved travel, read omnivorously, and helped others her whole life, even during her final illness. Those she leaves behind will cherish her memory for all their lives. There will be no funeral. Remembrances and tributes may be placed on the Kemp Funeral Home website. There will be a family memorial for Celia Thanksgiving week. In lieu of flowers, Celia asked that donations be made to one of the cancer funds at Henry Ford Health, such as the Brigitte Harris Cancer Pavilion fund.

Celia Savonen

October 29, 1952 - September 4, 2023