Barbara Vance
March 22, 1933 - June 05, 2022
Obituary
Barbara Jo Vance was born March 22, 1933, in Long Beach, CA to Clyde Lyrux and Vidoma Tomlinson, while her father was stationed there in the Navy. The family moved around considerably, but much of her childhood was spent in Steamboat Springs. Her love of the outdoors and animals began there in Colorado. As a high school student in Steamboat Springs, she marched in the socialite band on skis, a cheerleader and played the violin and the oboe.
After graduation, she went to college at The University of Colorado Boulder where she met David Shenton. They eloped and had 4 children. She and Dave also moved around quite a lot, but most of their time was spent in Ellwood City, PA. In her late 30s she went back to school and obtained a master's degree in teaching and went on to teach elementary school. Once the kids grew up and left the nest, BJ and Dave moved again to Savannah, GA. There she was involved in multiple activities including golf, a women's dance group, playing the bells, bridge, and a regular exercise program.
While in her 50s Barbara Jo and Betty Sue, her sister, best friend, sidekick, and partner in crime, started hiking the Appalachian Trail, a few weeks each year, under the trail name “The Blister Sisters”. They completed the final portion of the trail on her sister's 70th Birthday, summiting Mt. Katahdin in Maine with many of her family joining that last day. B.J. also included her ten grandchildren, each backpacking portions of the Appalachian Trail, instilling an appreciation for the outdoors and nature.
Dave Shenton, Sr. passed away in 1996 and after a few years BJ moved to a retirement community in Hilton Head, NC. There she met David Vance and they were married in 2002. David Vance passed away in 2012. She soon joined a group caring for feral cats, catching, feeding, neutering, spaying and then releasing them. She almost always had a dog, ending with her very sweet companion, Mr. Wilson.
No stranger to moving, her final move was to Montana in January 2020, which was unfortunately followed by numerous lonely Covid lockdowns. Nonetheless, she made many friends in the retirement community. Her Faith was the center of her life and it shined onto those around her, even bringing some of her family to God. She passed on June 5, 2022, surrounded by family, and with Mr. Wilson snuggled in close. She is survived by her sister Betty Sue Allen, all 4 of her children and their spouses (Dave and Sandy Shenton, Shelley Jo and Alan Jett, Gary and Lisa Shenton, and Debbie and Brad word), all 10 of her grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.
After graduation, she went to college at The University of Colorado Boulder where she met David Shenton. They eloped and had 4 children. She and Dave also moved around quite a lot, but most of their time was spent in Ellwood City, PA. In her late 30s she went back to school and obtained a master's degree in teaching and went on to teach elementary school. Once the kids grew up and left the nest, BJ and Dave moved again to Savannah, GA. There she was involved in multiple activities including golf, a women's dance group, playing the bells, bridge, and a regular exercise program.
While in her 50s Barbara Jo and Betty Sue, her sister, best friend, sidekick, and partner in crime, started hiking the Appalachian Trail, a few weeks each year, under the trail name “The Blister Sisters”. They completed the final portion of the trail on her sister's 70th Birthday, summiting Mt. Katahdin in Maine with many of her family joining that last day. B.J. also included her ten grandchildren, each backpacking portions of the Appalachian Trail, instilling an appreciation for the outdoors and nature.
Dave Shenton, Sr. passed away in 1996 and after a few years BJ moved to a retirement community in Hilton Head, NC. There she met David Vance and they were married in 2002. David Vance passed away in 2012. She soon joined a group caring for feral cats, catching, feeding, neutering, spaying and then releasing them. She almost always had a dog, ending with her very sweet companion, Mr. Wilson.
No stranger to moving, her final move was to Montana in January 2020, which was unfortunately followed by numerous lonely Covid lockdowns. Nonetheless, she made many friends in the retirement community. Her Faith was the center of her life and it shined onto those around her, even bringing some of her family to God. She passed on June 5, 2022, surrounded by family, and with Mr. Wilson snuggled in close. She is survived by her sister Betty Sue Allen, all 4 of her children and their spouses (Dave and Sandy Shenton, Shelley Jo and Alan Jett, Gary and Lisa Shenton, and Debbie and Brad word), all 10 of her grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.
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DJ
David W Shenton Jr
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Looking back, I recognize a common theme. Mom always had a heart for any apparently disadvantaged person or creature. Hence, we often had a neighborhood straggler (who otherwise would miss out) invited on a family day trip, raised a crippled ducking, etc. I personally struggled in early elementary school (and the teacher said I'd "always be slow") which just made Mom more determined. They later found my chronic ear infections and the tide turned dramatically. We can be certain that she gave the challenged kids special attention when she taught elementary school. Mom was there to take care of Kelly and Sandy, prescribed bedrest while late in pregnancy with Ben (battling prematurity), helping us for 2 months in Philadelphia. She later volunteered for Hospice for several years. All of these things were done quietly, without fanfare or need for recognition. So obvious now looking back. I hope to honor this with my own actions going forward. Thanks Mom. Love, David