Jean (Genevieve) Shannis, 90, died on December 19, 2008 at Courville at Manchester, in Manchester, NH. She was born on April 10, 1918 in New Britain, CT and was the daughter of Paulin and Casimina (Sjembek) Nurczyk. Upon graduation from high school, Jean went on to study nursing and received her RN degree from New Britain General Hospital in CT.
Jean was married for 65 years to Frank Shannis, who passed away earlier this year. Upon obtaining her degree, Jean worked as a nurse for a number of years, until her husband returned from WWII when they started a family. In the course of their marriage, they lived in many states until retiring to Cape Cod in 1981. During the Cape Cod years, Jean continued playing tennis and golf. She was a fierce competitor who greatly enjoyed the game with friends and family, and played well into her eighties. Her family meant everything to her and she and Frank hosted many family events on the Cape over the years.
She and her husband enjoyed traveling, and visited Hawaii, California, Europe and Russia. In her later years, Jean most enjoyed having her family visit her. She was a member of the St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Pocasset, MA.
Jean was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and is survived by a son, Raymond R. Shannis, and his wife Lyn of Brownsville, VT; a daughter, Laurie S. Boerma, and her husband, Dr. Hans Boerma of Birchrunville, PA; a son, Fran Shannis, and his wife, Joanne of Hooksett, NH; seven grandchildren and 4 great-grand children.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at St. Catherine Church, Manchester, NH. A private interment took place at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02421.
Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm Street, Manchester, NH was in charge of arrangements.