Jane A. Shanahan, 89

03/19/2008

GREAT BARRINGTON — Jane A. Shanahan, 89, formerly of Tamarack Farm and Melbourne Assisted Living in Pittsfield, died of pneumonia on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at Fairview Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Upper Montclair, N.J., on July 6, 1919,daughter of Wade and Jane Cockrell Adams, she was educated at Collegiate School in Richmond, Va., and graduated from Duke University in 1941. At age 50, she earned a master's degreein media/library science from Boston University. Mrs. Shanahan first taught art at the former Searles High School and worked as a librarian at its successor, Monument Mountain High School. She later worked for many years as the librarian for the schools in Millerton and Amenia, N.Y. She was a member of St. James' Episcopal Church and sang in the choir at First Congregational Church. She was a member of the Thursday Morning Club, the Great Barrington Garden Club, the Historical Society, and volunteered at Recording for the Blind. She enjoyed golf and bridge with her friends and loved animals and travel. Her husband, James Craig Shanahan, whom she married in 1942, died in 2000. She leaves two daughters, Doug Rautenkranz of Tucson, Ariz., and Katherine Kennedy of Pittsfield; a son, David Shanahan and his wife, Ellen, of Great Barrington; her granddaughter, Brynne Shanahan Kennedy of Hong Kong; her sister, Julia Michaelyan of Richmond, Va., and several nephews. FUNERAL NOTICE — A service of remembrance will be conducted Monday, April 7, at 1 at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington by the Rev. Charles G. VanAusdall, pastor of First Congregational Church in Great Barrington. Burial in Pelton Brook Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Great Barrington Historical Society through the funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.

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Jane A. Shanahan, 89

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