Martha "Marty" Shahan

Marty Shahan January 23, 1931 - June 21, 2014 Martha Ann (Marty) Shahan was born on January 23, 1931 in Clarksville, Arkansas to H.B. and Ruth Lee Smith. She grew up with her brother Harold and sister Dorothy. She had a wonderful childhood, loved school and enjoyed sports. At the age of 20, Marty graduated from the College of the Ozarks where she had met the love of her life, Cal Shahan from Green Forest, Arkansas. They were married on December 2, 1951 in the First Methodist Church in Clarksville. They immediately moved to Kirkwood, Missouri where Cal had a job waiting. Marty went to work for Southwestern Bell as a customer relations representative. They loved their time there as newlyweds just starting out in life, making new friends and beginning new careers. In 1956 they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Cal had a new job, and Marty had a baby, Cindy, their only child. Tulsa proved to be a perfect fit for the little family. They met wonderful, life-long friends that were a constant joy in their lives. Over the years, Marty was a substitute teacher, worked in the registrar's office at the University of Tulsa, was a secretary in the Art Department at Seismograph Corp., was a wonderful homemaker, and a "second Mom" to Cindy's friends. A life-long learner with an unbelievable memory, Marty loved traveling, reading, playing bridge, shopping and antiquing with friends, planning parties, dancing with Cal, painting (she was a talented artist), and especially visiting with her family and friends whom she truly loved with all her heart. She made every day joyful. During her last illness, those friends and family came to see her and surrounded her with love. The way Marty lived her life and treated her family and friends was an example to all. She was always gracious. She never judged, and was never critical. She completely supported them in every way she could. She was always interested in their lives and cared deeply about them. She would listen with compassion and understanding and kept a calm, level head. She treated everyone with respect and believed only the best in people. Marty was always optimistic and looked forward with great joy and anticipation to the next adventure, while still enjoying to the fullest each moment as it came. She had strength, patience, endurance, and grace. She was everybody's "Mommy Marty", and was proud of that. She made everyone feel special because they were all special to her. Marty wanted to take care of everyone. She loved to give gifts and had a knack for picking out the perfect one for each person. Marty was kind, loyal, loving, and generous. She was a shining example of how to be a good wife (of over 63 years), daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, and friend. In her gentle way, she made her presence felt. Marty was a true lady. She will be missed. Preceded in death by her mother & father; brother, Harold Smith & wife, Kathleen; brother-in-law, Cargile Ivie, brother-in-law, Wayne Shahan & wife, Carolyn; niece, Jane Carol Shahan; nephew, Wayne Morris Shahan. Survived by husband, Calvin; daughter, Cindy Parsons & husband, Robert; sister, Dorothy Bossard & husband d, Randall; sister-in-law, Nadine Ivie; nieces, Laura Audrey, Mava Fout, Pat Jones, Gail DeWeese & husband, Bill; nephews, Gary Ivie, David Ivie & wife, Lisa, Charles Ivie, Sydney Smith, Bradley Smith & wife, Barbara, Stephen Smith, Robert Bossard, John Bossard & wife, Carla. Memorial Service 3:00 P.M. Tuesday June 24, Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Funeral Home Chapel. Tulsa, OK. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Marty's name to Clarehouse Hospice. Moore’s Southlawn 918-663-2233