Former KIRO Radio anchor Jane Shannon passes away

Former KIRO Radio news anchor Jane Shannon passed away unexpectedly this week.

Shannon was not only an award-winning journalist, but a master gardener, avid motorcycle rider, book lover, chef, and just a good friend to everyone in the newsroom.

“She was wonderful to work with,” Dave Ross said. “We did a couple of charity events together. I can remember … when KIRO purchased KING, I said ‘Oh, we get the person with that gorgeous, velvety voice working for us now.'”

Shannon has been an anchor at KOMO since 2010. She anchored the morning news at KIRO Radio from 1993 to 2009, covering everything from the attacks on September 11 to the Seahawks’ first Super Bowl in Detroit.

“I’ll never forget the trip we took to Super Bowl XL as an entire morning news crew,” said KIRO Radio reporter Chris Sullivan. “And how she helped me transition when I moved up here from Portland. She’s just a great lady.”

“Jane was a total professional, but never forgot to connect the heart behind stories,” said Dan Restione, KIRO Radio managing editor. “She felt for everybody.”

Former co-anchor Tony Miner told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson he best remembers how positive Shannon was. No matter how bad the day or news was, she was always able to make people around her feel better.

“Her smile would light up the room,” Miner reflected. “She will be missed so much.”

The news, Miner added, is beyond sad.

Shannon leaves behind two sons.