Shawn Rosanna Nunnink

Shawn was diagnosed with late stage 4 colon cancer in 2011 and battled it for the last five years. Cancer didn't define Shawn but her fight against it certainly did. This horrendous disease never met a foe that would fight with such style. From chemotherapy treatments accented by designer shoes to fashion photo shoots with her port front and center, Shawn waged her battle publicly and unabashedly. At a reception at Carriage Club on April 8, 2016, after finally stopping all treatments, Shawn personally thanked over 400 allies in her fight against her cancer. Attendance to the event, organized just a day prior and where many waited over two hours just to share a final moment with Shawn, shows the impact she had on so many. Shawn was born a fiscal conservative in Detroit, Michigan but she never really claimed the Motor City as her home particularly after the bailouts violated her views on smaller government and capitalism. Shawn moved to the Kansas City area during her youth, grew up fast and smart and began to develop a style that was all her own. Athletic and determined, Shawn was an accomplished ice skater and always had a passion for the sport. Early in 1997, Shawn met Trae Nunnink during a chance encounter and wowed him with her conservative faith and political views and stunning beauty. They married later that spring on May 31st, 1997 and moved to Dallas, Texas to begin their lives together. Shawn and Trae are the proud parents of Emma, Phillip, Sophia and William Nunnink. Their children became the center of Shawn and Trae's activities. When Emma Nunnink was born in 2001, Shawn and Trae had returned to Kansas City. Shawn's calling as a mother emerged with the same style and drive that Shawn brought to everything she did. Emma inherited her mother's athleticism and unique style. From an early age, Shawn enabled Emma's passion for horses and traveled far and wide for lessons, training and competitive events in English saddle culminating in Emma winning a world championship. In 2011, Shawn had begun treatment for cancer. Shawn's chemotherapy-induced shiny, bald head was a beacon and fixture at all Emma's horse events. Phillip Nunnink, born in 2005, lunged Shawn into mothering a dashing young man who just last year was able to attend a Leon Paul fencing camp in the UK. Shawn, in year four of her battle with cancer, escorted Phillip to the UK and took him on a side trip to France to see the Eiffel Tower. Life-long memories were made for Phillip. Phillip is currently studying to become the youngest person in history to pass the Series 7. Sophia pirouetted into the family in 2007. With her mom's fashion sense and coordination, Sophia began ballet at age 2 and dances in the KC Ballet with appearances in the Nutcracker the last two seasons. Shawn was en pointe with as many performances as she could attend. William burst onto the scene in 2010 a year prior to Shawn's diagnosis. William drew from Shawn's eye for design and is quite an artist. William's artistic talents are only surpassed by his Angry Birds skills. He was blessed to have Shawn in his life for several years beyond her original prognosis. Shawn Nunnink, wife, mother, daughter, niece, sister and friend to so many passed away May 1, 2016 after her five year battle. In addition to Trae and her children, Shawn is survived by her mother, Paula Rogers, father, Erv Daugherty, brothers, aunts and uncles. The Nunnink's would like to thank all her caregivers over the years but especially the incredible staff from the Outpatient Palliative Care Unit at KU Medical Center and the unbelievably amazing staff from Crossroads Hospice. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 5 from 4:00 to 6:00 at Colonial Presbyterian Church. The funeral will be held at the same location on Friday, May 6th at 10:00. A private family burial will follow the service on Friday. For those who may wish to honor Shawn this week we are respectfully requesting donations to the following organizations IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: Bags of Fun Kansas City/Gabby Krause Foundation, 6320 Brookside Plaza, #514, Kansas City, MO 64113; www.bagsoffunkansascity.org and/or The LIGHT House, P. O. Box 22553, Kansas City, MO 64113; mbch.org.


SERVICES Visitation
Thursday, May 5, 2016 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Colonial Presbyterian Church 9500 Wornall Road Kansas City, MO 64114
Funeral Service
Friday, May 6, 2016 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Colonial Presbyterian Church 9500 Wornall Road Kansas City, MO 64114