"My condolences to the McShane family on the passing of their mother, Pearl. What a wonderful, inspiring life she lived. She was a caring person who had a great sense for life. The tenacity Pearl demonstrated to carry on after the death of her husband was inspirational. I will always remember the good times I had at the old house on 42nd Avenue, home of Nero, the Wonder dog. Pearl had a positive impact on everybody who knew her. When we talked, she made me feel like I mattered. She lived her life with such grace and dignity. Thanks Pearl. Rest In Peace. -- David Busch"
In loving memory of
Pearl Mcshane
Pearl Ann McShane passed gently into the afterlife on Saturday morning, March 12, 2016 at the age of 96. She was born Pearl Hensley in Savanna, Oklahoma, on December 19, 1919. Her mother and father were itinerant farmers. Pearl and her two brothers, Lewis and Tom Hensley, deceased Phoenix firefighters, traveled with their parents to Wyoming and Colorado and eventually settled on the west side of Phoenix in 1926. Pearl Hensley attended grade school at Phoenix's Alhambra and Isaac schools. She was a gifted high school softball player and graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1937. Subsequently, she enrolled in nursing school at St. Joseph's Hospital located near Fourth Street and Polk. She was required to live and work at the hospital year round in order to gain her credential, which she obtained in 1941 before passing her state nursing boards. Pearl worked at various area hospitals before volunteering for military service during World War II. She completed her basic training at Camp Cooke, later named Vandenberg Air Force Base, attaining the rank of lieutenant. She was but one of a scarce few female war time officers deployed to the European Theater of Operations. She first was stationed in London, then Wales, and was subsequently deployed to Reims, France, after the Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. In Reims, Lieutenant Hensley was assigned to a hospital that cared for GI's who had been wounded in battle. One such soldier had been struck by a piece of shrapnel in the leg during extensive mortar shelling of his unit. The hospital was able to save his leg but Captain Frank McShane had lost his patella to the injury and was shipped home to the US for rehabilitation, but not without first falling in love with his nurse, Lieutenant Pearl Hensley. Upon their discharge from the Army at the beginning of 1946, Pearl Hensley and Frank McShane were married in San Luis Obispo, California. They honeymooned in Monterey and eventually settled in Phoenix, where Pearl gave birth to eight children in 13 years. When she could find the time she enjoyed bowling, playing golf and tending her outdoor plants. Pearl was always a farmer at heart. In 1969 Pearl's husband died suddenly of a heart attack. Pearl was 49 years old and left to bring up her children, the youngest of whom was seven, on her own. She soon completed a refresher course in nursing and joined the County Health Department as a traveling nurse serving Phoenix's outlying farming communities. Pearl helped her children through high school and college and watched with pride as their lives blossomed before her. Time passed, and she was presented with one grandchild after another, 18 in all. Before long the first of her four great grandchildren began appearing on the scene. Pearl's eight children are thankful and grateful to have been blessed with her as their mother all these years. Her caring son-in-law will miss her dearly. Her three loving daughters-in-law will find it difficult to fill the void left by a true friend. There is no charity to which you can donate on Pearl's behalf, but in her remembrance, please enjoy plants and animals and working with the earth. Feel her presence at the singing of birds and buzzing of bees. See her young face in the freshening clouds, and hear her voice in a child's gurgling laughter as he runs breathlessly from a mother straining hard not to catch him. Her wonderful family includes her sons: Barney McShane and his spouse, Michelle, and their children, Christina, Brian, Emily Rose, Molly, preceded by Mary Katherine, Laura McShane Mellody and her spouse, James Mellody, and their daughter Emma Pearl, and Sarah and her fiancé Caleb Siegler. Michael McShane. James McShane and his spouse, Caroline. Frank McShane and his wife Andrea, and their children, Shane, Ronan, Gannon, and Irelynn. Timothy McShane and his children, Kelly, Lauren, and Michaela, with Nick Bedient, and their daughter Annabella, and Brianna, with Colton Caffey and their son, Rylan. And her daughters: Patricia Gagliano and her spouse, Robert Gagliano and their children, Kenneth and Paul. Susan McShane Ronn and her children, Michael and Daniel. And Marianne McShane. Visitation for Pearl McShane will be Friday, March 18, from 6-8 p.m. at Hansen Mortuaries, 8314 N. 7th Street, Phoenix. A rosary will be said at 7:30. A funeral mass will be offered on Saturday, March 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Basilica, 231 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix. Graveside services will follow immediately at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Tributes
"To Jimmy, Patsy, Tim, Marianne and my longtime best friend Susan, I cannot begin to express how fond I was of Pearl. She always had the open house, the kind words and many words of wisdom which she shared with us as we were growing up. She was an extraordinary woman, who made an impact on anyone who met her. She will be remembered for many things, but her children are a perfect example of the kind of woman that she was. She is exemplified by the love and kindness that I know you all possess. Thank you Pearl, for being there."
"Mike, I am so sorry for your Mom\'s passing. but what a life she had. I did not know her but I do know she will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Marge Castle Rosenkrans"
"I feel blessed to have known Mrs. McShane and to have shared some great days at SVDP gradeschool with Jim and all the other siblings. What an amazing woman she was! and what an amazing family she raised. Sounds like she did everything with such love and Grace. God Bless you all! Maureen"
"A beautiful Lady, both inside and out. Growing up with the family has some of the best memories of my life. Especially the vacation trips the White Mountains! Although we lost contact over our adult years, her beautiful face and personality would return here and there. I will always remember her hamburgers! The best ever. And on our get togethers, I was amazed of how fast she would get them out. To the McShane clan. My deepest condolences go out to all of you and your children. She will always be loved and in a special place in all of our hearts. Rest in Peace, Pearl. Roger Staab"
"To all the Mcshane Family. My heart felt sympathy to your family. To hear stories from my Mom, Joan Kolesar, of the great times your Mom & Dad, along with our Mom, Dad and others had going to ASU games, bowling and just the fun of \"growing up together\" with all their young children, bring so many smiles and chuckles. Always stay close to your brothers and sister. God Bless you all. Mom loved your Mom very much. Twink"
"Dear Jim & Caroline - We did not meet your mom Pearl, but we have heard so many great and funny stories about her over the years. What an adventurous woman she was and what a wonderful legacy she has left behind. Sending our love, Di & Marge"
"To the McShane family, Our heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your exceptional Mother. What a wonderful family she raised and we\'re sure she\'s very proud of each of you. We didn\'t have the pleasure of meeting her and consider that to be our loss. After reading her obituary it is apparent she was a remarkable woman all her life. No doubt God has a special place for her in heaven where she will be free and happy. Carol & Steve Garan"
"Wishing Peace and Love to all of the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends of Pearl McShane. Our loss...her gain."
"To Barney and all the McShanes: While I am saddened to learn of the death of your mother, I know she will live on in many joyous family gatherings as well as in quiet reflections. My heart is with you all even if I can\'t be there in person. Love to you all, Nora"
"And learned of her Passing.I live in Tucson now and I wont be able to make it up there. I will miss her dearly and I always remember visiting with her not only that she always Fed me I know you all know that..WHAT A LADY. Say Hello to Frank for me I would like to hear from. MY Deepest Condolences. indiandave1976@yahoo.com"
"To my mommy I am proud to be your daughter. I have received so many messages this week from children of your friends. All touched my heart and made me realized even more the lives you touched in your many years on this earth. Thanks for being my mom and grandmother (the best) to my children. I love you. Susan"
"Lovely tribute, I wish I had had more opportunities to talk and visit with your mom. What a lovely legacy she left the world; shehas wonderful, kind and successful children, great and grand children."
"Pearl was a wonderful , strong and a very beautiful person, she has touched so many lives and we are all richer for just knowing her, she will be missed deeply and I know that God has called yet another beautiful and strong women home. We are all saddened by her passing, but she will live in our hearts forever, rest in peace sweet Pearl."
"I love this obit of Pearl and I love that I was lucky enough to have met her and more over heard many stories of her lovely life. I wish you all peace and flowers. Care, Anne-Marie Szabo"