Alice J. Shanahan, 97, passed peacefully to her heavenly home on Monday, August 20, 2018, after suffering from dementia for several years. She was born in Indianapolis on July 5, 1921 to Hugh and Elenora Escott. A graduate of St. Philip Neri grade school and St. Mary's Academy, she got a job at Indiana Bell after high school. She married John J. Shanahan in 1943, her husband of 59 years before he passed. She and John parented three children while living in Little Flower parish. While raising her family, she worked part time as a bank teller at the Jefferson Street branch of AFNB/Chase on the east side, eventually retiring in 1986 after 27 years. Her most vivid memory there was being robbed at gunpoint by a habitual Indiana criminal.
Alice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt. She was an enthusiastic person who enjoyed many activities: gatherings of family and friends (she and several friends [the Teawhigs] met every two weeks for close to 70 years), travel, card games, roller coasters (into her late 70's), gambling, and eating desserts. She is survived by her children: Patricia Paas (Terry), Robert Shanahan (Patti), Gary Shanahan (Kathi), grandchildren Lori Wiegand (Doug), Lisa Steele (John), Michael Shanahan, and Michelle Nash (Chris), and six great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Mary West. Calling will be at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 7200 Sarto Drive from 9 to 11 am on Thursday, August 23, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Entombment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society or Alzheimer's Association of Indiana.
