Carol Ann Turley-Shaner

Carol attended Virginia Tech and later earned a master’s degree in social work. She spent her career helping families through difficult situations with compassion.

She married her husband, Steve Shaner, in 1986, and together they welcomed their daughter, Christine, in 1989. A lifelong Virginian, Carol loved horses, dogs, and animals of all kinds. Her kindness was not limited to four-legged creatures. She made friends wherever she went and built deep, lifelong friendships that became extended family and remained close to her throughout her life.

Carol was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in 2004. Through more than two decades of illness, she faced life with remarkable courage and optimism. She never allowed cancer to define her or become the center of life. Instead, she remained generous, hopeful, and determined. She devoted herself to caring for her parents into their 90s, was fiercely proud and supportive of Christine as her work took her to far-flung places, and loved to travel, explore, and visit friends near and far with Steve at her side. She was creative, thoughtful, introspective, and a great listener.

Carol will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, Carol’s family and friends asks that donations be made to Colby’s Crew Rescue, which supports horse rescue and rehabilitation, or to your local animal shelter, in Carol’s memory.