Frances Marie Wilshire Shahan, 97, of Pleasanton, passed away on November 13, 2023. She was born on January 19, 1926 in Burleson, Texas to James Lester Wilshire and Minnie Hicks Wilshire, their fourth of five daughters.

From a young child growing up in The Depression, Frances had a keen passion for helping others. She graduated from Burleson High School as Valedictorian in 1943. Three years later in 1946, she earned a double major in home economics and English while minoring in History at Texas Wesleyan. While in college, she taught English to servicemen coming back from World War II and was chosen "Most

Beautiful" by actor William Holden in a beauty contest. After graduation, she taught home economics at Burleson High School for three years. Frances moved on to Lone Star Gas Company in Fort Worth, where she ran the test kitchen and taught people to use gas appliances in their homes. That is also where she developed her love for cookbooks. In 1952, Frances went to work for the Texas Agricultural Extension Service as a home economics agent in Hamilton where she met her husband, Arthur (Art) Lee Shahan. Later she was transferred to Wharton County briefly where the two wed.

Shortly thereafter, the two newlyweds moved to Pleasanton. Art was hired as the ranch manager for Sid Richardson's ranches, which put Frances in her element of supreme homemaker, cooking meals and entertaining people from all over the world. Always service oriented, Frances spent her spare moments volunteering. In 4-H, she was Mother of the Year, leader for multiple projects, and driver of 4-Hers all over the state. She was the mom everyone wanted for room mother, planning the best parties with the greatest snacks. Every project she was involved in was a production. Frances was a member of the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs. During her involvement with Pleasanton Woman's Club, she held every office and chaired many committees. At the district level, she served as president and was a delegate at the state level. As a member of the First United Methodist Church, she was very fond of working with the children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, serving on various committees, and valued her moments spent with Methodist Women and Emmaus groups.

Frances is survived by her daughter, Dedra Shahan; son, Wes Shahan and wife, Anna; granddaughters, Madison Shahan, Bailey Burkholder, and Brooke Burkholder; grandsons, Matthew Shahan and Jordan Amyx; sister, Jean Clark; and multiple nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Art Shahan; her parents; her sisters, Dimple Williamson, Laverne Bryson, and Ronda Dickinson.

The pallbearers are Jordan Amyx, nephew Craig Clark, Garrett Dohnalik, Cody Rakowicz, Dan Barrow, and Larry Bauer.

A graveside service will take place at 10 a.m. on November 16 at Pioneer Cemetery, 1430 4th St in Graham, Texas. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on November 30 at First Methodist Church of Pleasanton, 420 N. Main Street.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Methodist Church of Pleasanton or Pleasanton Woman's Club.