Janet M. Shanks of South Burlington passed away Friday June 15, 2018 at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vermont.

Janet was born in Burlington, Vermont on May 6, 1925 to Eugene and Mabel Tourville. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Donald (Joe), brothers, Robert and Jack, sister, Dorothy Roy and daughter-in-law, Alicia Shanks.

Janet was a resident of The Pines Senior Living Community. Without fail, she greeted everyone with her infectious smile. Throughout the last twenty years of living there, she made many close friends, or “the girls,” as she liked to call them with whom she enjoyed playing cards, bingo, and mahjong, and attending theme dinners as well as joining the weekly South Burlington Young at Heart Club luncheons and specialty programs. Janet also enjoyed participating in many of her parish events hosted by St. John Vianney Church in South Burlington. Most of all she loved being surrounded by her family which often included her dear friend, Bobbi Pond. Janet always looked forward to gathering her family together for any occasion. She entertained them with her quick wit and her great sense of humor.

Janet is survived by her four children and their spouses: Stephen and Jan Shanks of Williston, Michael and Cindy Shanks of Burlington, Judy and Carney Howell of Kennebunk, Maine, Susan and Eric Ayers of South Burlington; by her grandchildren: Julie Shanks Calderin, Emily Shanks, Eric and spouse Brenda Shanks, John Shanks, Alexandra Dionne and fiance Peter Bahrenburg, Tyler Ayers, Foster Ayers; Stacia Howell, Charles Howell, Abbigail and spouse Jeffrey Clifford; by her great-grandchildren: RivanCalderin, Olivia Calderin, Maddox Shanks, Trinity Shanks, Cameron Clifford and Maya Clifford. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Jean TourvilleNadeau.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Janet M. Shanks will be held Friday, June 22, at 10:30 AM at St John Vianney Catholic Church on Hinesburg Road in South Burlington. Following the interment, a reception will be held at the St. John Vianney Parish Hall.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the VNA Hospice care team and the staff and volunteers of the McClure Miller Respite House for their compassionate care during the final weeks of Janet’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VNA McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Hwy. Colchester, VT 05446.