Shannon (Connolly) Fisher - Of Somerville, formerly of North End of Boston and Natick where she was born and raised passed peacefully at home early on August 15, 2021, a blue sky morning, surrounded by loved ones. In her time on this earth she was a pint-sized powerhouse, a ray of light, a free spirit, a true artist, and the kindest soul. She was the adoring wife of William M. Fisher. Cherished daughter of Janette Connolly Jordan of Framingham and Thomas Connolly of North End, Boston. Loving granddaughter of the late Barbara (Shannon) and James McIsaac, Patricia (Fitzgerald) and Rocco Oliveri. Dear daughter-in-law of Anne Fisher and William R. Fisher of Lexington. Sister-in-law of Katherine Fisher of Maynard. Niece of James McIsaac of Plymouth and Michael McIsaac of RI. Cousin of Justin McIsaac of RI. Auntie of Olive. She was a considerate friend to many. Shannon was endlessly adored, is already missed, and will be forever loved.

Shannon split her youth between Natick and the North End of Boston — finding her place to shine in each community. A fashion icon from the start, she honed her unique sense of style by wearing whatever the heck she wanted as a toddler and preferring to discover fashion gems with her mom at Goodwill rather than shopping at the mall as a teen. She grew up surrounded by Aunties, spending summers with her mom at Chapin Beach on the Cape, a place she cherished throughout her life. In the North End, she learned her love for hospitality and entertaining at her father's successful bars and restaurants. In Natick she found her love of performance from Pop Warner cheerleading and theater camp.

Shannon spent several formative years blazing her way across varied stages at UMass Amherst in the early aughts. A gifted comedian, Shannon was a wonder to watch perform. She played to packed crowds every weekend with the improv team Mission:Improvable and was given the stage nickname "Diesel" — a perfect representation of the force of nature who would go on to become a Boston comedy legend.

At UMass, she was also a founding member of the sketch comedy team Sketch 22, writing sketches that shed light on gender and inequality. From the moment she walked on stage, her presence was astounding. Every word out of her mouth, hilarious. Every face, striking. Shannon also performed in classic theater works — memorably as Thomasina in Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and Puck in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, perfectly cast in each — in experimental works she wrote and performed, and even traditional Renaissance era comedies full of physical, bawdy humor. A versatile, generous, thoughtful, and intuitive performer, Shannon could truly do it all.

After college, Shannon replanted her roots in Boston, going on to shine in every corner of the Boston improv comedy scene over the last fifteen years. Her talent on stage was undeniable — she was always the funniest person in the room. And she did it at a level that few comedians have. She performed in the Main Stage cast at both ImprovBoston and Improv Asylum, at the same time, meaning she performed in hundreds of shows every year. She also hosted and produced her own show at the Burren in Davis Square called Comedy on Tap, highlighting comic talent from across the city. Outside of Boston, Shannon played some of the biggest comedy stages in the US with her Harold team, Maxitor, and touring company, Big Bang. Her performances were always brilliant. Her hunger to learn, to get stronger, was never satisfied. It's not an exaggeration to say that she was a bright sun in the middle of the Boston improv comedy galaxy — if you did comedy here you knew Shannon . Her reach as a theater teacher too has been nothing short of extraordinary — she taught hundreds of students as an improv teacher at ImprovBoston, many of whom are now working on professional comedy stages throughout the world. Through it all she was warm, patient, fierce, playful, truly all good things — a revelation in the so often cynical comedy world.

Shannon was also, simply, the most kind-hearted, warm, jovial spirit. She waited tables at the famous Regina Pizzeria in the North End and the now-COVID-shuttered Field Pub in Central Square for over a decade and welcomed you in like it was your home. What she did for The Field is what every Boston bar dreams of — she made it a real Cheers. She also hosted annual adult "prom" parties for the Boston comedy scene, dubbed "the Snocial," and the Arlington Elks hasn't seen such a party before or since. Shannon's house was the center of her friends' world on holidays. She had the best candy in her trick-or-treat box. Was a wonderful home cook. Was the greatest Professional Auntie around, and always the Favorite Auntie at the Passover seder. The first one to jump into the ocean on a trip to the Cape.

Shannon was also a fierce supporter of civil rights and social justice, a lover of local businesses, and a squeaky wheel who regularly tweeted at local politicians to let them know exactly what they were doing wrong. One of her favorite sayings was, "Make good choices," which she undoubtedly did throughout her life.

She built a home with her beloved husband Will in Somerville, filled with art and plants and fresh pasta and love. Their decade-long romance started with a date to Winthrop to watch the planes land overhead and was filled with wonderful trips to Sampson Pond in the Adirondacks and Cape Cod.

Shannon bravely battled cancer for the last year and a half and shared much of her journey online with honesty and generosity, continuing to create hilarious sketches that made folks laugh from afar even during COVID restrictions. Surrounded by family, and a cadre of incredible friends who were her chosen family, there was a lot of cheer and joy in her home right up until the end, and a few whiskey shots.

Shannon was a Bostonian and Somervillian through and through, a proud daughter of the Bay State, a true goddess of the Commonwealth. She leaves behind a legacy of light and laughter that will resonate on and on and on.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Calling Hours at the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville on Monday August 23, 2021 from 3-7 pm. A Funeral Home Service will be held on Tuesday morning at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, in remembrance of Shannon's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Black Lives Matter, the Trevor Project, and Planned Parenthood.