Janice Lynn Shanahan

September 7, 1935 - January 21, 2022

On January 21, 2022, Janice Lynn Johnson Shanahan of Clare passed away at the age of 86. She was born in Elkhart Indiana on September 7, 1935 to Delbert E. Johnson and Velma (Cory) Johnson. After graduating as the valedictorian of the Edwardsburg High School class of 1953, she attended nursing school at Pasavant Hospital in Chicago and became a registered nurse when she received her diploma in 1956. The day after her 21st birthday, she married Dick Shanahan. Over the next few years, she moved at least six times, worked as a nurse, had two children and started collecting college credits. In 1967 she became the first woman in her family with a Bachelor’s degree when she graduated from Alma College. In 1969 she graduated Central Michigan University with a Master of Arts degree in American Literature and Education. She spent the next twelve years teaching English at Mid Michigan Community College. After a brief layover in Weidman, Jan and Dick moved to Texas where she continued teaching both English and nursing. After their retirement, they built a house in Clare where they stayed in the summer and lived in the Gulf Shores area of Alabama during the winter months. Jan’s beautiful soprano voice augmented several church choirs, both north and south. Her hobbies included singing, reading, and designing and moving into the next house she and Dick would build. Even after his death, she continued to enjoy purchasing homes and refurnishing them. She was a member of the Eastern Stars. Janice was preceded in death by her father, mother and her husband of 48 years, Richard L. Shanahan. She is survived by her son Richard E. Shanahan of Clare, her daughter Laurie (Michael) Hilyard of Clare, her three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and her brother Monte Johnson of Landrum, South. Carolina. A memorial graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 11 A.M. at the Cherry Grove Cemetery with Pastor Dennis Bromley officiating.