Barbara Beebe Shane, 79
Barbara Beebe Shane, 79, “went to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” on Feb.7, 2018, after a short bout with cancer that ended mercifully in Kalispell, where she lived with her daughter Debby and family.
She was born Sept. 20, 1938, to Ray Hammond and Grace Linderman Beebe in Lincoln, Nebraska. Soon after her birth, the family moved to Hastings, Nebraska, where Ray was the manager of the Hastings airport and instructor of students. She had an older brother, David, and a younger sister, Betty. In 1940, her beloved dad was killed on an airplane training flight. David passed away in 1944 and the family moved to Southern California to live near Barbara’s grandparents. Barbara graduated from Inglewood High School, then Pepperdine College with a degree in physical education in 1960.
During college, she met Bill Shane whom she later married in 1960. Barbara taught PE at Granada Hills Junior High in California for three years. Then she and Bill moved to Enumclaw, Washington, to live near his family. This is where she lived for the next 54 years. She and Bill had three daughters, Susan, Cindy and Debby. As a single mom, Barbara was a Girl Scout leader and then accepted a job with Totem Girl Scout Council as a field representative. Barbara became very involved in the community: Girls Club House board; president of the Enumclaw Arts Commission and the Enumclaw Music Teachers Association. She also served on the Life Committee that helped remodel the high school auditorium.
Then, in 1985, she opened Enumclaw Music where she sold instruments, music and supplies for 27 years. She loved working with the teachers in the Enumclaw area and taught many piano students from 1983 until 2017. This was one of her favorite roles in her life and one that impacted dozens of students, giving her the opportunity to get to know so many people and families while sharing a love of music. Another passion was her facilitation of a Christian support group for single men and women at The Summit Church for 20 years. Her faith in Jesus Christ made her an inspiration to many, and she shared her father’s gift of making each of her many friends feel special. Additionally, she enjoyed playing piano and forming treasured bonds with Sarah Vanvegten (violin) and Annette Kruzic (cello), in the Plateau Piano Trio, which performed for weddings, receptions and church events. Barb was also an experienced accompanist, playing for the EHS Choirs for three years and many soloists at district and state competitions. She continued to accompany the Thunder Mtn. Choir until she moved to Kalispell in 2017.
Barbara leaves behind daughters, Susan Denise Shane of Bellingham, Washington, Cindy (Donald) Boose of Bellingham, and Debby (Joey) Gardner of Kalispell; grandchildren, Vanessa (Luke) Stibbs, Adrianna Boose, Brittany Boose, Courtney Boose, Caleb Gardner, Josiah Gardner, Jonathan Gardner, David Gardner and Jeremiah Gardner; sister, Betty (Larry) Jones, of Seattle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Grace Beebe, and her brother David.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11, at Easthaven Baptist Church.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Arrangements are under the care of Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.