Virginia M. Shahan

MIDDLEBURY — Virginia M. Shahan, age 91, died Saturday, December 1, 2012, at the home of her daughter in Leicester.

Mrs. Shahan was born in Kirksville, Missouri, on January 12, 1921. She was the daughter of Owen and Irene (Ford) James. She received a scholarship from Kirksville State Teachers College, where she earned her teacher’s certificate and taught for several years before moving to Middlebury in 1958. She began teaching at the Vocational High School and other various schools in Addison County. She joined the staff at Middlebury Union High School, where she taught remedial reading for many years. She had also taught at the junior high level as well. She once remarked that she never had a student that she didn’t love. In May 1946, she married the love of her life, First Lieutenant Jesse Shahan. Mr. Shahan predeceased her in 1999. She loved music and reading her Bible.

Survivors included her daughter, Marianne Laroche and her husband Ike of Leicester, with whom she had recently made her home; two sons, Michael Shahan and his wife Denise of Rutland and Matthew Shahan and his wife Catherine of Monkton; one brother, Max James and his wife Lois of Mentor, Kansas. Eight grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive her. She was predeceased by a grandson, Joshua Magill, in 1998.

The memorial service “In Celebration of Her Life” will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, at Victory Baptist Church in Vergennes. The Rev. Timothy Taylor, pastor, will officiate. A private graveside committal service and burial will take place at a later date in Foote Street Cemetery in Middlebury.

Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made in her memory to Victory Baptist Church, 862 U.S. Route 7, Vergennes, VT 05491; or by visiting a lonely person and brighten their day.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.