Nellie "Katie" (Walsh) Shanley

Nellie “Katie” Shanley

October 25, 1931 ~ May 6, 2015

Nellie “Katie” Shanley, 83, residing in Granger, passed away at 8:28 pm Wednesday, May 6, 2015 in Wellbrooke of South Bend. She was born October 25, 1931 in Kewanna, IN to the late Kerry and Margaret (Larkin) Walsh. She has lived in the South Bend area since 1955.

On August 20, 1955, in Kewanna, IN, Katie married John Edward Shanley, who preceded her in death on April 4, 2012. She was also preceded by siblings, Fran Hands, Mary Kempner and Albert Walsh.

Katie is survived by her children, Patrick Shanley of South Bend, Kevin (Jacqueline) Shanley of Malvern, PA, Mike (Meg) Shanley of Fishers, IN, Ann Shanley of Mentor, OH and Joe Shanley of Atlanta, GA; eight grandchildren, Ryan, Allison, Andrea, Jake and Jacquelyn Shanley and Kelsey, Tori and Tre Lanese; and one sister, Joann Reedy of Lewiston, NY.

Katie was a longtime member of St. Therese, Little Flower Catholic Church, where she served on numerous committees. She served many years with the St. Joseph County Right to Life, where she was the first president and won the Courage Award. She was also active in the prison ministry at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. Katie was a wonderful seamstress and enjoyed making vestments for the priests at Little Flower. When the children were grown, she went to work as a secretary in the Notre Dame football office, where she worked for 14 years under head coaches Gerry Faust, Lou Holtz and Bob Davies. Katie was also a docent at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 pm Saturday, May 9, 2015 in St. Therese, Little Flower Catholic Church. Graveside services and burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon on Saturday in the church, where a rosary will be recited at 12:00 noon. Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be donated to St. Joseph County Right to Life, 2004 Ironwood Circle, Suite 130, South Bend, IN 46635. Online condolences may be left for the Shanley family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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