The Laurier community is in mourning following the sudden passing of Shannon Lee on Nov. 7, 2025.
Originally from Oakville, Lee graduated from Laurier’s Integrated Musical Arts program in 2023 before pursuing a career as a musician and sound technician in Kitchener-Waterloo.
During their time at Laurier, Shannon was known by peers to be a community minded person with a strong focus on and curiosity for the arts. This led to the formation of the band HouseCat, who would quickly become a staple in the local music scene leading up to the 2024 release of their debut EP, “The Porch Orange”.
LSPIRG and Free Weekly Distro highlighted Shannon’s contributions in a post to Instagram: “To all who love Shannon, please know that every Thursday, 175+ students receive groceries with care and dignity, in no small part thanks to Shannon. We are committed to carrying on the work that Shannon cares so deeply for, not just in striving for food security, but also dismantling all systems of violence and replacing them with beautiful communities of care.”
After graduating from Laurier, Shannon immersed herself in the local music scene, working as the resident sound tech for The Hub and One Big Gay Disco and also as the Meanwhile Space Coordinator for ArtsBuild Ontario.
Shannon will be remembered and celebrated for her creative spirit and her community contributions. Local arts groups are currently working together to plan a gathering in Shannon’s honour. More details will be shared once they are available.
Shannon’s family has also created a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral expenses, with plans to donate any remaining funds to CAMH in Shannon’s honour.
Contributed Photo/Radio Laurier
