Helen Shanahan

Helen Marjory Shanahan, 93, of Great Falls, passed away Monday, December 12, 2016.A funeral liturgy will be held 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel.Helen was born on January 30, 1923 to Denver Pierre Graham and Lillian May (Hensley) Graham in Great Falls, Montana. She attended Great Falls schools and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1940. She worked as a beautician. Helen married Raymond E. Shanahan on February 6, 1943 in Sandpoint, ID. Although her high school ambition was to be a lady of leisure, Helen worked very hard alongside Ray, from building homes, their business Moderne Cabinet Shop, to chopping and hauling wood for the woodstove. Ray passed away on July 11, 1992.Helen was an excellent homemaker, great cook, cake decorator, and seamstress. As a wonderful hostess, Helen made trays and trays of Christmas cookies for holiday parties. She enjoyed crafting, reading, crossword puzzles, and they were members of a bowling team at the Elks. She loved and cherished her time spent with her children, grandchildren and delighted in her great-grandchildren. Favorite family memories include fun times camping and boating at various lakes.Helen is survived by her children, Jerry (Carol) Shanahan of Great Falls, Gene (Bev) Shanahan of Edwards, CO, Lynette (Terry) Hall of Moses Lake, WA, and Layne (Debbie) Shanahan of Great Falls; grandchildren Scott Shanahan, Traci Williams, Ryan Shanahan, Brooke Mehn, Brett Shanahan, Shaun Shanahan, Shea Maulis, Justin Hall, Shannon Rickert, Alyssa Barlow, Tiffany Shanahan, Callie Difulgentis, and Krysta Murray; 21 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ray Shanahan; brothers Denver and Robert Graham; and sister LaVaughn Gauer.In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Great Falls Rescue Mission, 326 2nd Ave. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.