Winifred Jane Shanor

Winnie Shanor, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, died peacefully on December 23, 2022 at the age of 94, remaining actively engaged with her family, her friends, and her world until the very end of her life.

Born at Tulsa's Morningside Hospital on September 27, 1928, she was the daughter of Ozro Bruce Badger and Bessie Hancock Badger. Although Winnie moved with her family to Portland, Oregon when she was ten years old, they all returned to Tulsa six years later, in time for her to join the Central High School graduating class of 1946.

Two years later, she married aspiring artist and architect Donald Botz, and the two of them moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, living in Veterans Village housing while he attended what was then Oklahoma A&M College. Their first two children, Diana and Greg, were born in Stillwater. By 1952, the young couple had established residence in Tulsa. Their final two children, Lisa and Janis, saw their first light of day at Hillcrest Medical Center, Morningside's successor.

In 1958, at the age of 35, Donald Botz died of lymphosarcoma. With four young children to support, and showing the initiative that characterized her life, Winnie enrolled at the University of Tulsa, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in 1962 and acquiring a teaching certificate. Especially interested in early childhood education, she founded and became the first director of Channing Day School at All Souls Unitarian Church. With Winnie at the helm, the new institution prospered, adding classes for four- and three-year-olds, a music program, and, later, summer school.

After several years at Channing, Winnie took time off to go to Los Angeles, where she attended a Montessori master's program at Mount St. Mary's College. Afterwards, she returned to Tulsa, teaching the Montessori Method at her school. She continued there until 1970, when she became engaged to Phillips Petroleum Company engineer Paul Shanor. They married in 1971, and, for the next decade, she indulged her love of travel and learning about new places with Paul, whose work took him to England, Egypt, Ireland, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast, all countries where the couple established residences for as long as two years.

They returned to Oklahoma in 1981, and, after living in Edmond for four years, moved to Bella Vista. Paul passed away in 2004.

Throughout her life, Winnie continually sought knowledge and insight and could converse easily on an amazing variety of subjects. Each time Paul's job took them to another overseas destination, she made a point of learning as much about that country's culture as she could. She also loved classical music, theater, and ballet, among many other forms of entertainment, and continued to pursue those interests in her retirement. The Bella Vista Garden Club, Bella Vista Friends of the Library, and the local P.E.O. chapter were just a few of the organizations that benefited from her involvement. She was also a tireless supporter of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.

In addition to Don Botz and Paul Shanor, Winnie was preceded in death by brothers Bruce Badger and Beverly Badger and Paul's son Jim Shanor. She is survived by her children: Diana Rouse, Greg Botz, Lise Botz, and Janis Wooley, and Paul's children Sherry Killam and Gordy Shanor, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who loved her and were loved by her in return.

Services are set for 1:00 p.m. March 4, 2023 at the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, 504 Memorial Drive, in Bella Vista, AR.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Winnie's memory to the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, P.O. Box 1243, Fayetteville, AR 72702, or any of the other organizations Winnie enriched for years with her time, talent, energy, and financial support.