Betty Sue Shanahan

Betty Sue Whitaker Shanahan, 95, died peacefully in her sleep on March 12, 2025, in Arlington. She was a loving and devoted wife to Richard Shanahan for 71 years and beloved mother of their four children.

Born in Paoli, OK, Betty was the 10th of 14 Whitaker children. With the generous support of her older sister Penny, Betty attended St. Anthony School of Nursing in Oklahoma City, and graduated as a Registered Nurse. Betty moved to Wichita, KS, to work in First Aid at Boeing Aerospace. While attending an ice cream social with other Boeing employees, Betty met the love of her life, Richard Shanahan, and they married in 1953. Betty and Richard’s first two children were born in Waco, TX. The family relocated permanently to Irving, TX, where their family grew and prospered for 61 years. Betty was an active parishioner of St. Luke Catholic Church, and a nurse and later a volunteer at Irving Community Hospital. The last 10 years of their careers, Richard and Betty lived and worked in the San Francisco Bay Area, but returned to Irving upon retirement, where they rejoined their long-time neighbors on Benjamin Road.

Betty is survived by her husband Richard Orville Shanahan, of Mansfield; one brother, Stanley Whitaker of Baytown; three daughters, Jeanie Shanahan James (Mike) of Alexandria, VA; Pat Shanahan Charlton (Adrian) of Weatherford; and Linda Shanahan Hippert (Rick) of Arlington; and is predeceased by one son, Paul Richard Shanahan of Irving, and by 12 brothers and sisters. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Jeff Wright of Colorado Springs, CO; Shannon Aguilar of Alexandria, VA; Alison Decker of Burleson; and Erin Brasovan of Fort Worth; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Betty’s family is deeply grateful for the beautiful and special caregivers at Serenity Place, who took loving care of Betty and treated her like family.