Jeanne C. Shiras

Jeanne Marie Clark Shiras, a passionate activist, devoted matriarch, and lifelong learner, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 29, 2024, at the age of 96 in Madison, Wisconsin, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in 1928 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Jeanne lived a life characterized by curiosity, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to social justice. She graduated from Northwestern University in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, where she also met her beloved husband, Don, with whom she shared a loving marriage until his passing in 1995.

Jeanne and Don raised four children in Gary, Indiana: Carol, Ann, Tory, and Alan. With her warm, welcoming nature, Jeanne made their Morgan Street house the heart of the neighborhood. Local children naturally congregated in her home, and she was especially known for her legendary Christmas cookie-making gatherings.

Her professional life was dedicated to social justice and civil rights. After earning a Master's in Public Administration from Indiana University Northwest in 1975, she served in numerous influential roles, including President of the League of Women Voters and Chairperson of the Gary Human Relations Commission. She was a tireless advocate for accessible social services, school finance reform, and racial equality.

Following her career, Jeanne and Don moved to Fiddler’s Green, the lakefront cottage in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, built by Jeanne’s father. She remained an active community member, dedicating herself to causes such as wildlife conservation, progressive politics, and accessible education. Jeanne volunteered as a nature walking guide for local students and worked as a court mediator for 23 years. During this time, she also played a significant role in raising her three grandchildren, hosted weekly family dinners, and refined her many skills, from knitting to landscaping her beautiful wooded property.

In 2015 Jeanne moved to the Fairhaven community in Whitewater, Wisconsin, where she stayed vibrant and engaged, participating in book clubs, lectures, and discussion groups until the end of her life.

A true renaissance woman, Jeanne was a lifelong learner who took courses on everything from figure drawing to Victorian literature. She was an avid reader, devoted nature enthusiast, and passionate traveler who explored destinations from Costa Rica, to Australia, to every national park between Redway, California and the Indiana Dunes. Her love for the arts—particularly opera, literature, and classical music—was matched only by her dedication to staying informed about global events and politics.

Jeanne is survived by her children Carol Shiras, Tory Joyce, and Alan Shiras; niece Susie Clark; grandchildren Nathaniel Breese, Joshua Bialous, and Danielle Joyce; great-grandchildren Cadence Bialous, Timothy, Jessica , and Nadia Breese; and a wide network of cherished friends and chosen family from throughout her remarkable 96 years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Audubon Society, PBS, Planned Parenthood, or your local library. A memorial will be held for Jeanne, her daughter Ann and Ann’s husband Carl in the Indiana Dunes State Park at a later date.

Jeanne will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. True to her character, her signature farewell reflects the warmth, wit, and boundless curiosity that defined her: “Hang by your thumbs and write if you get work.”

Cress Funeral Service

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, WI 53590

608-837-9054