Colleen T. Shaughnessy, 49, of Chicago, IL, died June 7 surrounded by her loving family at Illinois Masonic Hospital, after a yearlong courageous attempt to recover from a severe stroke she suffered in June, 2015. Colleen was born in Chicago on June 21, 1966 to Joseph M. and Maureen M. Shaughnessy (nee Scanlon). Colleen graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1988 and DePaul University College of Law in 1991. Colleen was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority at the University of Illinois. Colleen married James R. Nelson on September 23, 1995, and together they had two children, Colette (15) and Liam (11).

Following graduation from law school, Colleen worked as an associate at Chapman and Cutler LLP and Winston & Strawn LLP. She was elevated to partner at Winston & Strawn LLP in 1999, where she worked until she retired from the practice of law in 2005 to become a full-time mother. While Colleen had a very distinguished and accomplished professional career as an attorney, she cherished her roles as a mother and wife more than anything else in life and she was very active in her children's lives. Colleen enjoyed spending time at her vacation home in Williams Bay, WI and staying busy with various activities including tennis, reading, politics and, most of all, traveling the globe with her family. Colleen will be remembered for her kind heart and undying love for her family and friends.

Colleen is survived by her husband and children, her father, brother Michael (Clare) of New Canaan, CT, sister Sheila, and brother Matthew, mother-in-law Marilyn Nelson and brother-in-law David Nelson (Robin) of Cedar Rapids, IA, her nieces and nephew, aunts and uncles, many cousins and many, many friends. Colleen was preceded in death by her mother, Maureen. Services have been held.