Shannon Rae (Philbin) Parnell

Shannon Rae (Philbin) Parnell, 46, of Big Lake, died Feb. 15, 2006, at Providence Alaska Medical Center, with her family by her side. Memorial services will be held at Big Lake Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Ms. Parnell was born to Betty and Pete Philbin and raised in Petersburg with her three older brothers. She moved away from Petersburg and married, had six children and moved several times before ending up back in Alaska with her family. She moved to Nikiski in 1998 and lived there for five years, where she was involved in a car accident that paralyzed her. She and her family then moved back to Wasilla to be near her mother and brothers.

Her family wrote, &#8220Shannon was an excellent cook and took her cooking very seriously. She loved family barbecues and spending time with her family. Shannon was very spontaneous and enjoyed going on long drives. Some of her hobbies were, of course, cooking, sewing and pinochle. She had many different jobs, but operating Mat-Su Taxi was one of her favorites. She always enjoyed driving and socializing.”

Ms. Parnell is survived by her six children, Brandon, Bridget, Jessica, Josi, Jamie and Jared; her stepdaughter, Jennifer Williams, and three brothers, Joe, Curt and Brad Philbin. Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.