Katera Lynn Shannon

Your legacy of love will forever light our way.

Obituary

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Katera Lynn Shannon affectionately known as "KL "Shannon on the morning of September 9, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. KL was a widely respected activist, advocate, and community leader whose decades of work helped advance many causes.

KL grew up in Seattle’s Central District and dedicated her life to fighting for justice, serving as a voice for oppressed people. Through her leadership, organizing, public speaking, and commitment to social justice, she inspired countless people to become involved and work toward a more just and equitable society.

KL started her organizing career with Jobs with Justice and Mothers for Police Accountability. Her body of organizing work included issues that impact communities of color: Economic Justice, Environmental Justice, Housing, Immigration, Police Accountability, and Transportation. KL was a loving Aunt, who helped raise her nephews, actively striving to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline that snags many black and brown boys.

KL was a remarkable person whose love, courage, compassion, and determination transformed lives,” said longtime friend, Yalonda Sinde. “As a community, we are heartbroken by this loss. While we mourn KL’s passing, we will also celebrate the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind and the many people who will continue the work.”

KL worked with many organizations and causes. Most recently, as a coalition organizer with Puget Sound Sage and community organizer with Seattle Streets Alliance and Executive Director of Whose Streets? Our Streets! She served as Vice Chair of the Seattle MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition Executive Team and worked with the Defender Association’s Racial Disparity Project. She supported many other organizations and causes. She has received several awards for her work, including the 2019 Community Organizer Award.

“KL hated injustice in all its forms and, with her whole heart, loved life and people deeply. In her last moments and throughout her life, she asked about the children, encouraged all of us to believe in each other, and demanded that we keep organizing for transformative justice, peace, and liberation. I cherish her mentorship, her friendship, her giggle, and the way she taught me to fight courageously and demand more of myself and our local governments. There are so many ways she mothered our movement: KL was caring, nurturing, accompanying, and encouraging -even when it was hard. She never gave up on any of us, and we will keep up her fight.” -37th LD State Senator Rebecca Saldaña. 

Memorial service details will be announced when details are available. Please look to this memorial page for updates.

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KL Memory Wall