Obituary of Shirley Ann Letson

LETSON, Shirley Ann "Shann" Shann passed away peacefully at home on January 7, 2018. Born Shirley Ann Hargraves on October 1, 1925 in Blackwell, OK., she is survived by her devoted husband of 70 wonderful years, Robert J. Letson; son, Michael (Marjorie); daughters, Marcia Sisley (James) and Sherry (Bobby Whipple), plus eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, Rex and Katherine, and sister, Paula Johnson. Shann received her B.A. from Park College in MO. In 1947, one week after getting her Master's in Psychology from the Univ. of Minnesota, Shann married Bob Letson whom she had met seven years earlier at Dwight Mission Presbyterian Summer Conference. They began a correspondence while Bob was serving in WWII. The newlyweds moved to Missouri where Shann worked as a counselor at Stevens College and Director of Residence and Student Activities at William Woods College for Women while Bob went back to school eventually getting his doctorate in Education. In 1955, the growing family moved west when Bob joined the faculty at the Univ. of Arizona. Shann loved sunny Tucson and soon became president of the Faculty Wives Newcomers Club. Shann was a do-er and a giver. She was happiest serving others. She was always gracious, kind and thoughtful. A wonderful wife, full-time mother and an excellent listener. She volunteered with Mobile Meals, the Heart Association, and also served as Deacon and Elder and in many other capacities at her church of 55 plus years. She was an active P.E.O. member since her college days. After Bob's retirement, they became intrepid world travelers making lasting friendships with people around the world. They discovered the joy of home exchanging and Shann relished all the planning involved. (many were pre-internet!) Shann's final years were challenging due to her declining health and dementia, but with the help of her loving family, her special angels Stacie and Jackie, and TMC Hospice at home, she continued to be her same, delightful self to the very end. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 400 E. University Blvd. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church in memory of Shann. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.