Mary Alicia (Workman) Shanks
Essex
Mary Alicia (Workman) Shanks, age 56, died tragically and far too young on August 24, 2006 in her Essex school classroom, as a result of a homicide.
Alicia was a life long resident of the Essex area, and devoted her life to her beloved family (husband Steve and children Emily and John) and her first and second grade students. She was a beautiful, gracious, strong and loving person, who emanated humor and joy wherever she went.
She was born on August 4, 1950, in Burlington, daughter of the late Richard Workman and Eileen (O’Sullivan) Workman and the granddaughter of Mamie Emily (Lovell) Workman. Alicia lost her mother to cancer while a teenager, and with her grandmother Mayma raised her six younger siblings, assuming the role of mother at that young age – a role she continued all her life.
Alicia graduated from Johnson State College in 1972, with a degree in Elementary Education, and was immediately hired by the Fairfax Elementary School, where she had done her student teaching. After several years, she moved to the Essex Elementary School, where she taught first and second grade for nearly 25 years. Alicia was a talented and outstanding teacher, who taught innovatively and lovingly, the kind of teacher who received letters of tribute from her students when they graduated from college, thanking her for giving them the self-confidence and will to succeed. She did graduate work at UVM and St. Michael’s College, and won an award from “Instructor” magazine for a class project on Native American customs called “Deeds of the Heart.” Also, her articles were published in the Governor’s Institute of Vermont “Leading and Learning” magazine. Among her activities were being a Baird Center Mentor for Residential Care, serving on the Board of the Essex Community Historical Society, and being a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers Honorary Society and of Deedee’s Mah jong Group. She loved Golden Retrievers, genealogy, family photograph albums, and family heirloom items. She recently discovered her mother’s birth family roots in Ireland, and rejoiced in her Celtic heritage and her Irish relatives.
On October 7, 1972, she and Stephen Shanks were married at her Aunt Helen’s home in Castleton, Vermont. Emily Eileen was born in 1977 and John in 1982. Their happiness with each other and their two children made their home a beacon of joy to all who knew them.
Alicia is survived by her husband of 34 years, Stephen; her children Emily and John; her siblings Rick Workman and wife Elena of Jericho, John Workman and life partner Giles Hunter of Essex Jct., Martha Workman and Wayne Phelps of Essex, Geoffrey Workman and his wife Sharon of Buckfield, Maine, William Workman of Colchester, and Laurie Malenfant and her husband Joe of Colchester; her mother in law Janet Shanks of South Burlington, brothers and sisters-in-law Michael and Cindy Shanks of Burlington, Judy (Shanks) and Carney Howell of Eliot, Maine; Susan (Shanks) and Eric Ayers of South Burlington, twenty nieces and nephews, one grandnephew and one grandniece; her extended family, cousins and many friends; and her many years of students and student teachers.
She was also predeceased by her father in law Donald P. Shanks, and several aunts and uncles.
Visiting hours will be held tomorrow Sunday August 27, 2006 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel 57 Main St. Essex Jct. VT 05452. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday August 28, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. at the Chapel of St. Michael the Arch Angel on the campus of St. Michaels College, Colchester with the Reverend Brian J. Cummings S.S.E. officiating. Burial will follow in the family lot at Fairview Cemetery Essex Jct., VT. Memorial Contributions in Alicia’s memory may be made to the Baird/Howard Center Development Office 208 Flynn Ave. Suite 3J Burlington, VT 05401. Those who wish may forward online condolences by visiting
www.awrichfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by John D. Workman, A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel 57 Main St. Essex Jct., VT 05452
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