Shannon "Shay" A. Richardson

Shannon A. ("Shay") Richardson, 27, passed away February 9, 2016, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Shay was born on May 1, 1988, in Duluth, Minnesota, the daughter of Martha Hayes and Gilbert W. Richardson, Jr. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Corey Franklin Richardson and Amos Birnbaum; her stepfather, Charles Hayes; her paternal grandfather, Gilbert W. Richardson, Sr., her maternal grandfathers, William Elvin Teas and Rueben Shelstad; her uncle, Joe Lankston; her aunt, Kathleen Richardson; and her cousin, Megan McCourt. She is survived by her parents; her sister, Christina Hayes; her brothers, Rueben Bates, and Joseph Hayes; her maternal grandmother, Polly Shelstad; her paternal grandmother, Ruth C. Richardson; her aunts and uncles: Shirley Richardson-McCourt and Tom McCourt; Harriet Richardson; Charles and Carla Richardson; her niece, Nicole Rudert; and her cousins Mary McCourt, Ryan McCourt, Chad Richardson, and Sydney Richardson. She is also survived by many loving friends and family members.

Shay was a graduate of Logan High School, Class of 2006, in LaCrosse, WI. She was employed as a karaoke MC and as a bartender at several local taverns and bars. Her sparkling personality, ready wit, and gorgeous smile were well-known to the patrons of these establishments and drew patrons in wherever she worked. An accomplished poet, Shay had many of her poems published in online poetry forums. She was a proud and supportive member of the Hill Pender Richardson Sturghill Family Association, whose annual reunion she attended every year from the age of 2. Her individuality and freedom of spirit were easily seen through her body piercings and her ever changing hair color. Shay was a creature of love, laughter, beauty, and joy. The earth is poorer for her loss, but heaven is richer for her arrival.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday February 26, 2016 at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley with a visitation from 10 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, rural La Crosse. All are invited to a benefit for her family also on Friday from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Overtime Sports Bar at 1920 Ward Ave. in La Crosse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.