Obituary of Betty L. McShane

Betty L. McShane, 87, of Waukegan IL, passed on to be with the Lord on June 1, 2018 at the Cancer Treatment Center of America Hospital in Zion, IL.

Betty was born May 29, 1931 in Zion to Gladstone and Bertha Riehl.  She grew up in Zion, graduating from Zion-Benton Township High School in 1948 and was the first person in her class to obtain employment. On June 22, 1951 she married the love of her life, Ed, at the Christian Catholic Church in Zion.  She worked for the law firm of Finn, Geiger & Rafferty from 1948-1972 where she was considered part of the family. She attended First Congregational United Church of Christ of Waukegan for over 40 years and most recently Memorial United Methodist Church in Zion for more than 20 years.  She was an active member and former Treasurer of the Lake County Art League and the United Methodist Women’s Fellowship at the Memorial United Methodist Church for many years.  

Betty was a tenor saxophone player in the Zion Jr. Band where she met an fell in love with Ed on a band trip to Colorado Springs, CO.  She loved music, playing Christian hymns on her saxophone.  She was an excellent cook and kept an impeccable home.  She was thoughtful and kind, always having a positive word for those she met.  She had a sense of fairness and treated everyone with dignity.  She remembered birthdays, sending handwritten cards to loved ones and friends.  Betty was a professional photographer; she enjoyed taking pictures of sunrises and nature with her husband, especially in Door County, Wisconsin. She won many blue ribbons, competitions and art shows over the years for the photos she took.  She loved peanut butter and bread, listening to the birds sing, gardens and stargazing.  She was a devout Christian, her faith being very important to her.  She read devotionals and the Bible daily.  Betty was gentle-hearted and generous, donating to homeless shelters and a number of charitable organizations.  She was astute and followed the news carefully.  Betty had a simple elegance to her and carried herself with grace and dignity.

Betty is survived by her son, Larry McShane of Waukegan, IL; brother, Roger (Caroline) Riehl of Port St. Lucie, FL; nieces, Bernadette and Lucinda; nephew, Roger, Jr. and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband of 64 years, Ed, and in-laws, Edgar and Dorothy McShane of Waukegan, IL.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at the Cancer Treatment Center of America Hospital in Zion, IL for the excellent and compassionate care they gave to Betty.  She was well-liked there and was lovingly referred to as “our Ms. Betty.”

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 11, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with funeral service following at 12:00 p.m. at Memorial United Methodist Church, 2935 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL 60099.  Interment will take place at North Shore Garden of Memories in North Chicago.  Memorial donations in Betty’s name may be made to Assistance in Healthcare, a 501(c)(3) organization, at P.O. Box 396, Zion, IL 60099 or to Memorial United Methodist Church.