Jean Marie Shields

Jean Marie Shields, of Fort Smith, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2023 at age 95. She was born on April 3, 1927 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to the late John Fraser Baldner and Charlotte Melvina (Moffat) Baldner. Jean was a Registered Nurse, she obtained her degree from Winnipeg General Hospital. She worked in nursing in various places in Canada; Honolulu, Hawaii; in Fort Smith at St. Edwards Hospital, Sparks Hospital and private practice nursing. Jean and her late husband John (Jack) Shields were married on June 2, 1956 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She obtained her U.S. citizenship on June 8, 1965.

Jean was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Fort Smith, serving in numerous capacities, including the Immaculate Conception Ladies Auxiliary, School PTO, and serving as a Eucharistic minister. She was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Jean offered support and service to many area charitable organizations. She was an active advocate of the Arkansas Right to Life. She was the Co-Founder and Charter board member of Project Compassion.

Jean loved traveling, playing cards, working puzzles, crafting, spending time with family and friends, fishing and relaxing at her summer cottage on Lake of the Wood in Ontario, and sharing the joy of Christmas with her internationally renowned Moose Milk.

In addition to both parents and her husband of 53 years, she is preceded in death by her sister, Shirley Fowler of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

She is survived by two daughters, Sharon Nikmard and her husband Jahan, of Houston TX and Katie Shields of Fort Smith; four sons, Pat Shields and his wife Mary of Fort Smith; John Shields and his wife Suzy, of Edmond, OK, Tim Shields and his wife Lori and Mike Shields and his wife Ellen, both of Fort Smith; one sister, Betty Daniels of Edmonton, Alberta; fourteen grandchildren, Kevin and Jim Shields, Anna Burrows, Johnny and Cameron Nikmard, Jack, Charlie and Henry Shields, Megan Newton, Mark Shields, Abby Doohan, Emma, Haley and Jordan Shields; seven great grandchildren, Kaia and Helaina Shields, Nasrin Nikmard, Elizabeth Doohan, Kyle and William Newton and Charlie Burrows. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews throughout Canada and the United States.

Rosary Service will be 7:00 PM Friday, January 27, 2023 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Wake will be immediately following the Rosary in the Immaculate Conception Parish Center (family and friends to gather and celebrate Jean’s life).

Funeral Mass will be 11:00 AM Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with burial to immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.

Pallbearers will be Jean’s grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, representing the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic School, P.O. Box 1866, Fort Smith, AR 72902 or to Project Compassion, Inc., 1205 South Albert Pike Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72903.