Obituary
Shannon Van Dyke was born August 30th, 1959 to Leslie John VanDyke and Louise K. VanDyke. Shannon was raised on a small farm in Redland, Oregon. The primary farming crop was strawberries, but they also raised cattle and later her dad had a wonderful orchard.
Shannon graduated from Estacada High School in 1977 and later that same year married her high school sweetheart, Jay Jackson. Shannon and Jay had two wonderful children together, Sarah Bibb and Matthew Jackson.
Shannon moved all over the place. While her first 18 years were spent on the family farm she then lived in Estacada, Eagle Creek, Coos Bay, Walla Walla, Salem, Portland, Oregon City and back to Eagle Creek where she and Donn have lived since 2010.
Shannon met and married Donn Bunyard in 2002 and they have spent the past 16 years living life fully. They have traveled to numerous national parks in what has come to be known as their ‘annual national parks road trip’. They’ve been to Hawaii and San Diego (where Shannon’s son Matthew lives) multiple times and most recently a trip to San Antonio where they have always wanted to go but was just a little too far for a road trip. While they weren’t on the road and living day to day lives in Eagle Creek their time has been spent with family and friends – Shannon’s top two priorities. Whether taking a camping trip to Timothy Lake, hiking, biking, kayaking and singing around the campfire, or just a day trip kayaking Estacada lake or hiking some trail within driving distance.
Shannon has been actively involved in the Sandy church for the past 8 years and often shares what a fantastic gift this church family has been. She sings with the praise teams and occasionally will share special music. She has been involved in a bible study in her home since it got started with the Crockett’s in 2010.
Shannon was a Regional PFS Director for the Pacific NW Region for Adventist Health. This was no small job. The past couple of years the job demanded a fair amount of travel to Walla Walla, Tillamook and Hawaii (13 times in a year and a half) it was challenging and yet a great opportunity to get to know the culture of the Island.
Throughout her life Shannon was known for her abundant energy. In her younger years she was on the North fork – waterskiing 5 or more nights per week. She was an avid golfer who played and won many tournaments. Shannon loved hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. But more than anything she loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren. Game nights at the Bibbs, Holiday gatherings like the 4th of July, Christmas, sporting and music events for the grandchildren, walking the the San Diego zoo with Matt and Denise. Shannon LIVED her life. She seized the moment, enjoyed the moment and often thanked God later for how he had worked in the moment.
Her children will always remember her kindness, her endless energy, her willingness to ALWAYS be there, to NEVER judge, to love unconditionally, to comfort, to laugh with, and to cry with. Words cannot express all the love she gave to them and to all the people around her. She was truly one of a kind, one of the good ones, and will forever be in our hearts!