Kathleen Anne Shank

on December 27th, 2023 with her husband by her side. Kathy was born April 9, 1948 in Peoria,

Illinois to Shirley Gottenborg and Patrick McGee.

She graduated from Monmouth High School in 1966. Kathy later completed classes at

Monmouth College and Illinois State University but spent much of her time as a mother of her 5

children. Kathy also babysat for others and worked full time at various retail establishments in

Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.

She met her husband William Shank on her 22nd birthday. They also worked together at GTE.

They married on January 9, 1971 in Monmouth, Illinois at Immaculate Conception Roman

Catholic Church. William and Kathleen enjoyed nearly 53 years of marriage.

Kathy was loved dearly by her family. She is survived by her husband William of Mims, FL and

her 5 children and their spouses: Amy Wall (Scott) of Illinois, Wendy Wilmarth (Jay) of Florida,

James Shank (Erin) of Florida, Sara Staggs (Bryan) of Florida, and Krista Olszewski (Mark) of

Florida and five brothers. She is preceded in death by her parents and two sisters. Oscar Mayer,

Kathy’s dog, a long haired miniature dachshund, missed her so much that he died of a broken

heart the day after Kathy.

Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart: Kathryn Shank, Lea Shank, Anna Wilmarth,

Thursday Wilmarth, William Shank, Emily Shank, Kaylee Keel, Mary Shank, Abigail Staggs,

Elizabeth Shank, Genevieve Shank, James Staggs, and Grace Olszewski. Her grandchildren

are pieces of Kathy’s loving nature, loyal heart, rebellious humor, and amazing intelligence.

They will remember special times including traveling to Ireland, Scotland and all over the US

with Grandma, reading, playing with play-doh, coloring, baking, cuddling, watching movies,

going to the beach and going to Disney.

Kathy will be loved and remembered by all for her beautiful smile, caring nature, her quirky

spirit, her love of art, irises, gardening, faith, love of different cultures, and Neil Diamond. Kathy

could talk to anyone and made friends wherever she went.

A public visitation for Kathleen will be held Friday, January 5, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Baldwin-Fairchild Oaklawn Chapel, 5000 COUNTY ROAD 46A, SANFORD, FL 32771. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, January 6, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Annunciation Catholic Church, 1020 Montgomery Road, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714.