1917
Ena
2016
Ena Shawhan
July 7, 1917 — October 23, 2016
Ena M. Shawhan, 99, of Downingtown, a dedicated Christian volunteer and former nurse, died October 23. She lived in West Chester before relocating to Simpson Meadows.
Mrs. Shawhan lived a long and full life focused on family, Christian service, nursing and education.
Born on July 7, 1917, in Sigourney, Iowa, Ena Maxine was the third daughter of Verne Lloyd and Olive Agnes White Burdine. Graduating valedictorian of her 1934 high school class, she first attended Drake University to complete two and a half years of liberal arts courses and later transferred to the University of Minnesota to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1940. Her degree included advanced studies in the School of Education for health care in home settings.
She married Dr. E. Neil Shawhan, University of Minnesota Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Physics, in 1939. After marriage, they lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, resided in the Washington, D.C. area during World War II, raised their family in Newtown Square, PA, and spent their retirement years in West Chester, PA. Her husband died in 1980.
In addition to her husband, Ena Shawhan was preceded in death by three children, infant Nancy Jean Shawhan, Dr. Stanley Dean Shawhan, and Carolyn Shawhan Garfield. She is survived by a daughter Diana Shawhan Bacci (Raymond); daughter-in-law Susan Jenkins Shawhan; grandchildren, Peter Shawhan (Julia), Daniel Shawhan, James Garfield (Jenean), Meredith Collett (Adam), Anne Bradberry (Paul), and Sarah Read (Brett); and great-grandchildren William Shawhan, Mary Shawhan, Noel Garfield, Nicolas Watrous, Jacob Collet, and Kailer Bradberry.
Mrs. Shawhan was an active volunteer with the American Red Cross, the United Methodist Church, and the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. She and her husband were founding members of St. Marks United Methodist Church in Broomall, Pennsylvania. Her lifetime of service is represented by many awards, certificates, pins, and citations, yet she was most proud of the accomplishments of her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren whose activities she closely followed.
Dr. and Mrs. Shawhan enjoyed traveling within the United States, and to Europe and the Holy Lands after their children left for college. Following Dr. Shawhan's death, Mrs. Shawhan continued driving long distances from Pennsylvania visiting her sisters, cousins, and friends. She successfully navigated her last road trip at age 87.
Relatives and friends are invited to her Memorial Service, Wednesday, October 26, 2016, 11:00 AM St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 2220 Sproul Road, Broomall, PA.
Memorial gifts to the Shawhan Family Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Vice President for Advancement, Eastern University, 1300 Eagle Road, St. Davids, PA 19087 would be appreciated.
Mrs. Shawhan lived a long and full life focused on family, Christian service, nursing and education.
Born on July 7, 1917, in Sigourney, Iowa, Ena Maxine was the third daughter of Verne Lloyd and Olive Agnes White Burdine. Graduating valedictorian of her 1934 high school class, she first attended Drake University to complete two and a half years of liberal arts courses and later transferred to the University of Minnesota to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1940. Her degree included advanced studies in the School of Education for health care in home settings.
She married Dr. E. Neil Shawhan, University of Minnesota Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Physics, in 1939. After marriage, they lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, resided in the Washington, D.C. area during World War II, raised their family in Newtown Square, PA, and spent their retirement years in West Chester, PA. Her husband died in 1980.
In addition to her husband, Ena Shawhan was preceded in death by three children, infant Nancy Jean Shawhan, Dr. Stanley Dean Shawhan, and Carolyn Shawhan Garfield. She is survived by a daughter Diana Shawhan Bacci (Raymond); daughter-in-law Susan Jenkins Shawhan; grandchildren, Peter Shawhan (Julia), Daniel Shawhan, James Garfield (Jenean), Meredith Collett (Adam), Anne Bradberry (Paul), and Sarah Read (Brett); and great-grandchildren William Shawhan, Mary Shawhan, Noel Garfield, Nicolas Watrous, Jacob Collet, and Kailer Bradberry.
Mrs. Shawhan was an active volunteer with the American Red Cross, the United Methodist Church, and the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. She and her husband were founding members of St. Marks United Methodist Church in Broomall, Pennsylvania. Her lifetime of service is represented by many awards, certificates, pins, and citations, yet she was most proud of the accomplishments of her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren whose activities she closely followed.
Dr. and Mrs. Shawhan enjoyed traveling within the United States, and to Europe and the Holy Lands after their children left for college. Following Dr. Shawhan's death, Mrs. Shawhan continued driving long distances from Pennsylvania visiting her sisters, cousins, and friends. She successfully navigated her last road trip at age 87.
Relatives and friends are invited to her Memorial Service, Wednesday, October 26, 2016, 11:00 AM St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 2220 Sproul Road, Broomall, PA.
Memorial gifts to the Shawhan Family Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Vice President for Advancement, Eastern University, 1300 Eagle Road, St. Davids, PA 19087 would be appreciated.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ena Shawhan, please visit our flower store.
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