Shannon Diane Reilley, 51, of Colby, died Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Sky Ridge Medical Center, in Lone Tree, CO. She was born on February 28, 1972, in Oak Park, IL, to James McKenzie and Janice (McDowall) McKenzie.Shannon graduated from Colby High School in 1991. While in High School she managed Dairy Queen and afterwards moved on to Tubbs and Sons. Eventually she opened Sugar and Spice, an in-home daycare that she ran for over 25 years. During that time, she pursued higher education and obtained an Associate’s degree from Colby Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Fort Hays State University. Shannon then went to work at the Citizens Medical Center Club House where she was a lead preschool teacher and assistant director.
On May 19, 2007, Shannon was united in marriage with Derek Reilley. She loved her family, and her grandchildren were her life. Her true passion was children, and not just her own. She was very involved in the local community from being a Girl Scout leader for eight years to helping with the fundraising for the new equipment at Fike Pike. She also loved her cat Cali and all four of her dogs. Her newest dog addition was Koya, who she adopted. She also liked spending time outdoors, caring for her pool for her children/grandchildren to enjoy and gardening with her mother.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Gerald and Elnora McDowall and Hubert and Nogie McKenzie; stepfather Gary Madsen; fathers-in-law, Michael Glenn Reilley, and Larry Koon; brother-in-law Kerry Michael Reilley, her cat Cali and her dog Lil Miss Sparkles.
She is survived by her husband Derek Reilley; mother Janice Madsen; father James (Jamie) McKenzie; children, Troy (Sandra) Koon, Jessica (Mauricio) Soto, Courtney (Nathan) Quagliano; Landon Reilley and Aden Reilley; grandchildren, Paisley and Adaley Soto, Charlie Shull and Kash Koon; in-laws, Izetta and Wes Rummel and Debra Koon; sisters, Heather (Steve) Faber and Meagan (Michael Harper) McKenzie; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and her dogs, Lily, Cooper, Koya and grand dog Patrick.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 18, 2023, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Mass is at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Colby, with burial in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Citizens Club House and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com