Beulah L. Shaner

July 29, 1935 – February 15, 2018

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

PROVERBS 31:25-29

Beulah Shaner was born Beulah Blankenship to parents Ada and Henry Blankenship on July 29, 1935, in Ajlune, Washington. She attended Mossyrock High School where she participated in numerous activities including sports, cheerleading, yearbook, and school events planning. After graduating in 1953, Boo (as she was known) represented Mossyrock High as a Princess of the Southwest Washington Fair in Chehalis/Centralia, touring and giving speeches to the local communities.

After completing her tenure in August, Beulah married Robert Daniel Shaner (Bob) on September 26, 1953, in Mossyrock, Washington. Although she aspired to be a physical education teacher and took general education courses at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington, Boo worked full-time to help put Bob through college. She was proud of her “PHT” (put husband through) status and pleased to make sacrifices for the sake of her family. When Bob graduated from Eastern in 1957, Bob and Boo moved to Randle, Washington, where Beulah worked as a secretary to the principal while Bob taught at White Pass High School. In 1962, Boo moved to Tumwater, Washington, where Bob took a teaching position at Tumwater High School. Boo worked at Sunset Life Insurance Company for a few years before taking a job at Tumwater Middle School, where she worked until her retirement in 1996.

Beulah was beloved by all who knew her. A stunning beauty with a warm, sincere smile, Boo charmed everyone. However, her inner light shone even brighter than her outer loveliness. She loved her family, which was her first priority, and she immersed herself in the activities of her husband and children. The backbone of her family, Beulah was a loving mother and devoted wife—a partner, soulmate, and one true love to Bob. Supervisors and co-workers appreciated her work ethic and efficiency on the job, but moreover, they adored the laughter, wisdom, kindness, and caring which she brought to her friends and to her career. She loved people and focused on the positive attributes of every individual. Generations of students at Tumwater Middle School knew that they had an advocate in the Principal's Office because “Mrs. Shaner” gave consistent guidance and support to every child who stood at her counter.

Active in her community, Beulah was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, the Tumwater Booster Club, and the United Methodist Church. In many respects, Boo Shaner embodied the generosity, warmth, and hometown goodness of Tumwater.

Leaving behind a loving legacy, Beulah will be greatly missed by her children: Kim Tangherlini (Vince), Kevin Shaner (Mary), Kyle T. Shaner (Cindy), and Kraig Shaner (Jenifer); cherished grandchildren—Dr. Sammy Jo Abair (David), Capt. Kyle R. Shaner (Marni), Luke Shaner, Vinny Tangherlini, Hunter Shaner, Robert Tangherlini, and Sydney Shaner. Her surviving siblings are Lon Blankenship (Patricia) and Sherri Rash (Wayne), and her numerous nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews include: Dr. Robin Pickering-Iazzi (Poulo), Joelle Lilliskare (Jeff), Rhonda Bradberry (Chris) Aaron Rash, Sonnet Gardipee (George), Andre Iazzi, Mara Lilliskare, Trynne Lilliskare, Bergen Lilliskare, Tanner Bradberry, Tiernan Gardipee, and Kealan Gardipee. She also leaves behind numerous cousins, second cousins, and precious friends, including Norm Wisner—a life-long friend who became her constant companion and champion supporting her with humor, grace, and dignity as she battled her final illness.

For all who loved her, Beulah (Boo, Mama, Mom, Grandma, Nana, Booie, Aunt Boo, Mrs. Shaner) wove a tapestry of strength, wisdom, beauty, dignity, joy, laughter, commitment, loyalty, faith, generosity, kindness, and love with which she covered and protected her family and friends and which remains as a memory of a glorious life well-lived.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.

Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

Do you believe this?”

JOHN 11:25-26