||| www.MamaSaidTees.com —> Let Your Smile Change the World (tee) —> 100% of proceeds go to Connor & Danny Hall |||

One week ago today, my world was turned upside down when I got a phone call from my mom in Indiana (I was at home bathing my kids in St. Louis). I can’t remember details, but I do remember hearing my mom crying and made out the words, “she’s gone. Shannon is gone. You need to come home.”

I still haven’t accepted it or been able to wrap my head around the fact that I will never see her beautiful smile again. But the most horrific part of this tragedy is that my sisters’ boys, Connor (10) and Danny (8) were left without either parent forever. I will never understand why this happened, but I know that now I must step up and make a difference in these boys lives. I have never been more sure of anything in my life.

It is so fitting that I am able to express what Shannon meant to me by way of tee shirt since she was so proud of and excited for my new venture. She believed that Colleen and I could truly change the world, tee by tee, and I hope to spread Shannon’s message while raising money to secure my beautiful nephews’ futures.

If you can stomach it, below is an article that will help you to better appreciate what my family is going through and see how Shannon impacted those around her with her infectious smile and love for life. Thank you so much. #ShannonSmiles

Hundreds mourn slain teacher at Cathedral High vigil

Diana Penner and Steph M Solis, Indianapolis 3:50 p.m. EDT July 30, 2014

(Photo: Provided photo)

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Nearly every one of the 600 seats in an auditorium at Cathedral High School was taken Tuesday night by someone who knew and loved Shannon Hall, and now grieves for her.

Many knew her when she was Shannon O’Malia, a 1992 graduate of the school. And the auditorium, Joe O’Malia Performing Arts Center, is named for her grandfather.

The name O’Malia is known throughout Central Indiana by those who shopped for groceries at the family chain. The name Shannon O’Malia Hall was more intimately known by those who chuckled in recognition at funny and endearing stories — little, everyday accounts of shared adventures, catch-phrases and jokes.

There was much laughter at the service, but also tears and excruciating emotional pain.

Hall, 40, was at her parents’ house in Carmel when her ex-husband, David Hall, 38, shot her before killing himself Sunday night, police said. Their two children, ages 8 and 10, and her parents, Rita and Danny O’Malia, were in the house at the time.

It was agonizing, and continues to be, her mother told those assembled.

“Unfortunately, Danny and I experienced the incident,” she said, her voice breaking. “And that will never leave my head.”

But, she said, the embrace of family and friends since Sunday has sustained her, and she asked for continued prayers. Especially for her grandsons.

“My main concerns are these two little boys,” she said. “They’re 8 and 10, and they’re beautiful.”

Jill White, Hall’s cousin and younger by only 15 days, spoke of the closeness they shared from infancy, through high school and college — when they roomed across a hall from each other — and into adulthood and motherhood. A group of about eight lifelong girlfriends got together monthly to catch up and tell old stories, she said. They laughed, all the time, and Hall was at the center.

“She was magnetic,” White said. “You wanted to be with her.”

Hall’s older sister, Janet Andriole, and her younger sister, Colleen Stine, had the audience alternately chuckling and weeping as they recalled the sister who was their parents’ “favorite.” Last Christmas, Stine recalled, Hall gave her mother a frame that read “Mom’s favorite” — with a picture of Hall in it. That photo was teasingly swapped out, she said, but that will be corrected.

“We’ll put Shannon back where she belongs.”

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard also paid his respects.

“This is a terrible thing that’s happened to the greatest of people,” Ballard, himself a Cathedral graduate, said of the teacher’s slaying.

Family members reached earlier Tuesday recalled Shannon Hall’s enthusiasm and positivity.

“She’d light up the darkest room with her presence,” said her uncle and godfather, David O’Malia. “She could walk into a room and everything was bright.”

Shannon Hall and David Hall divorced July 1, according to court documents. They agreed to have joint custody of their children and split the cost of the children’s school expenses.

The mother of two spent her entire life in the Indianapolis area. Her father, Danny, was president of the family’s O’Malia’s Food Markets, which was sold to Marsh Supermarkets in 2001.

After graduating from Cathedral, Hall went on to pursue a career in elementary education, most recently teaching second grade at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School in Fishers.

The O’Malia family has a long history with Cathedral High School, Cathedral campus minister Charlene Witka said. Shannon Hall’s two sisters graduated from the high school. Her father also is an alumnus and served as chairman of the high school’s board of directors from 1987 through 1992.

St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church will hold services later this week. Calling will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School gymnasium. Additional calling will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the school gym, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church, 11441 Hague Road, Fishers.