Leatrice A. (Lea) Whitmore Shanley, 97, of Bradenton, Florida and Rochester, New York died in Rochester on March 16, 2022 in the trusting care of her daughter Kristine, special friends Katie Armstrong and Gina Wilson, and the comfort of her most loving family. Her adoring husband Michael Shanley Sr. predeceased her in 2004.
During the final months of her life, she was visited by many of her family members whose conversations covering current affairs and family memories provided comfort and frequently a good laugh. Each day began with a “poem of the day” read by her dear friend Gina and discussed over the morning breakfast of oatmeal with fruit, yogurt and her coffee with creamer. Equally comforting were the multitude of calls, emails, facetime contacts and handmade cards and letters from her loving grandchildren and great grandchildren from across the country. She was born in Starrucca, Pennsylvania of her parents Una Mae and Robert Whitmore and lived her “growing up” years in Lanesboro, Pa. She graduated with honors from Susquehanna, Pennsylvania schools in 1942 and after her hero and future husband, Michael Shanley enlisted in the US Army Air Force in 1943, she moved to Binghamton where she took employment in support of the war effort. They were engaged at the Binghamton train station later in 1943 and were married on July 25, 1944.
Even in the face of a World War and knowing that she would be returning to Binghamton alone after her husband’s transfer to the South Pacific, she demonstrated incredible courage and independence for a 20 year old woman in 1944 by deciding, without hesitation or regret, to travel with her husband to the U.S. Air Force Base in Lincoln, Nebraska where they would await his transfer to the war front in the South Pacific. Following receipt of his transfer orders, she then made the 1,200 mile return train trip to Binghamton by herself; but she was not “alone” as she received continuing support and security from a plethora of supportive American citizens. Being an Army wife during World War II was considered a sacred calling by all Americans.
Most thankfully, her husband returned to her four months after the end of World War II. Thereafter, they built, with their own four hands, their home at 1804 King Street in Vestal where they lived, loved and prospered for more than 40 years with their four children Michael Jr., Sheila Lynn, Pamela Ann and Kristine Marie.
Lea is survived by her children Michael and Lyn Shanley (Vero Beach, Florida), Sheila Sloma and Bob Bottenberg (Bradenton, Fla), Pam and Gregg Hartz Sr. (Katy, Texas) and Kristine Shanley (Rochester, NY).
Grandma Lea was also the cherished grandmother of Elizabeth Freeman (Marshall), Michael Shanley III, Megan Shanley DeAngelo, Bridget Veratti, (Tom), John Sprague (Kate), Laura Sprague, Robert Sweet, Teri Christ (Jeff), Gregg Hartz Jr. (Susan), Nicholas Hartz (Kristen) and Ashlea Hartz.
As well she was particularly blessed by 19 great grandchildren Noah, Riley, Brooke, Brady Lea, Jake, Ellie, Gwen, Tommy, Tyler, Brayden, Kyle, Alanna, Justin, Samantha, Emily, Breann, Macie, Averie and Kaden.
Lea was predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, Michael Shanley, Sr., her mother and father Una Mae and Robert Whitmore, her dear brother Robert Whitmore, Jr. (Laura), her sisters Louella Wheeler (Irv) and Polly Hobart (Ed), and a granddaughter Jennifer Sprague.
Lea had a special place in her heart for the Shanley, Whitmore, Wheeler, Fisher and Garris families and of course her lifelong friendship with the Angelo Family, as well as her niece Joan Hartz and her family. In Lea’s home, the door was always unlocked and all were welcome.
With her husband, Mike, they were constant companions, partners and wonderfully involved in the lives and activities of their children, 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. As a general proposition, she never missed a concert, recital, play or ball game. And in turn, her family knew her as an incomparable Mom and Grandma. Most of all, she was equally available to all her family members to provide the love, support and wisdom her family needed.
She was a special cook and master baker who proudly wore the mantle of lifelong homemaker in the noblest sense of the word. Although almost unbelievable for any one individual, she had the full package of beauty, personality, compassion, brilliance, determination and quiet confidence. She had it all and was loved by all. God has blessed her but most of all her family, extended family and friends have been greatly blessed by her presence in their lives.
The family would like to thank the caregivers and friends who contributed so much to Mom’s happiness over the last several months of her life. Kris would also like to especially recognize George VanderZwaag and the entire team at the University of Rochester for their understanding and unwavering support.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on April 2, 2022 at 10:00 AM at our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church 801 Main Street, Vestal New York. The Mass will be followed by burial at Vestal Hills Memorial Cemetery, Vestal and a reception and luncheon (12:15 pm) for all at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Vestal.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Memorial contributions in memory of Lea Shanley may be made to Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester, PO Box 826, Webster NY 14580.