KU student, an 'idealist,' mourned

'She was a light'

Tragedy: Friends and family gather at ecumenical center to share stories about woman slain in Costa Rica

By Steve Swartz

The Capital-Journal

LAWRENCE --- For Shannon Martin, life was about ideals, about love of animals and, perhaps most of all, it was about that easy smile she shared with everyone.

Friends and family of the 23-year-old Topekan who was slain last weekend in Costa Rica shared memories, laughs and tears Friday night at a memorial service at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries center at The University of Kansas. The Rev. Thad Holcombe, campus pastor, said 225 people attended the "celebration," which followed a potluck dinner.

Martin died after being stabbed May 13 as she walked home from a nightspot in the southern Costa Rican town of Golfito. The crime remains under investigation and although a Costa Rican newspaper, Nacion, reported Friday that a suspect has been questioned, there have been no arrests.

Last year, Martin went to the Central American country as part of KU's study abroad program to research a little-studied fern that grows in trees. She returned to Golfito earlier this month to gather more specimens for her research. She was to graduate Sunday along with her sister Sheri.

During the memorial, a steady stream of people stepped up to a microphone to relate their favorite stories and memories of the graduate of Shawnee Heights High School.

"Above all," said one of her KU instructors who gave only his first name, Dave, "she was an idealist."

"Shannon made a difference," said Holcombe, noting that she was concerned about animal and environmental causes, including the possibility of building a roadway through the wetlands on Lawrence's south side.

Derek John, who was a classmate and part of Martin's social circle in junior high, high school and at KU, said he always thought his friends were meant to "go out and do something special" in life.

"She'd want us to take her lead and really do some good things in this world," he said. "It's going to be a lot tougher without Shannon. She was a light."

Sheri Martin said her sister served as the family's conscience. Sheri and another sister, Staci, were discussing Shannon's role earlier this week.

"We just don't know what we're going to do," Sheri said. "She was the moral police for our family."

In a recent telephone discussion about decision-making, Shannon said, " 'I need a bracelet that says, WWMD --- What Would Mom Do,' " Sheri said. "Staci and I said we'll have to make a bracelet that says, 'What Would Shannon Do.' "

Martin's love of animals, especially her beloved German shepherd, Brutus, was mentioned by several of the speakers. Brad Stauffer, her stepfather, said Brutus has come to live with him and Martin's mother, Jeanette Stauffer, in Topeka.

Brutus' veterinarian, Dr. Jacob Thomas, made the crowd laugh when he told the story of the time Martin brought the dog in to his office to have a tumor removed. As the dog was receiving a sedative before surgery, Martin asked the vet for some time alone with Brutus.

A short time later, his assistant told him to come back to the room where the dog was being prepared for the operation.

"There was Shannon inside the cage with Brutus," Jacob said to the knowing amusement of the crowd.

Possibly the most frequently mentioned quality of Martin was her winning smile.

"I always will remember her being able to make me laugh," said a friend who didn't give her name. "Her smile and her laugh will live on forever."

But perhaps the most poignant comment about Martin's smile came from a young woman who was led to the microphone by a friend. Even though she can't see, the woman said, she could always feel that smile.

As she put it, "Shannon's smile was so radiant, I can feel it right now if I think and if it's quiet."

Services for Martin will be at 10 a.m. today at Countryside United Methodist Church, Topeka. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa.

See TRAGEDY, page 16A

Tragedy: 'Shannon made a difference'

GREG LAHANN/The Capital-Journal

Amanda Shaw, right, consoled Kate Hege, a friend of Shannon Martin, while Derek John, left, gave an interview Friday at a memorial service for Martin at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries center on The University of Kansas campus. More than 200 friends and family gathered to remember the KU senior killed Sunday in Costa Rica.

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