Sidonie Shane

With warmth, love, and generosity, Sidonie Shane lived a life rich in faith and family. A woman who embodied the principles of her faith, Sid led with her heart and willingly gave of herself in service of others. She never hesitated to give of her time and talents and made an art of volunteering. Sid loved learning and exploring, always on the move and eager to experience new things. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Sid will long be remembered and so dearly missed.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, 1934 gave birth to many celebrated firsts. Flash Gordon made his debut while Fuji Photo Film first captured memories. The Three Stooges took center stage in their first short film while the nation also met Donald Duck. Nowhere was there a greater sense of hope than in the home of Joseph and Laura (Tatro) VandeMaele as they welcomed their daughter Sid on November 12, 1934, in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Sid grew up in Kalamazoo with her brothers, Joe and Fritz, and her sister, Mary. From her elementary school years and through high school, Sid attended St. Augustine Catholic School. After high school, Sid attended college for a time and worked at Louis Drugs on West Main. While working at the drug store, she met her husband, Bob Shane, who worked at the nearby A&P. Bob frequently took his break at the drug store, enjoying a soda from the fountain and taking a liking to Sid. He soon asked her out, and they began dating.

On April 25, 1956, Sid and Bob married at St. Joseph Church. There was little time for the newlyweds to celebrate as Bob had to resume his duties as a supply clerk in the military. Bob was stationed in Pittsburgh for one year and later went to France for ten months. Finally, on May 14, 1958, Bob was discharged and safely returned to Kalamazoo. Sid quit college and dedicated herself to supporting Bob's dream of becoming a teacher. When she became pregnant, she stopped working, which proved even more fateful as the store was robbed the day after she quit.

Making their home in Kalamazoo, when their son was born in 1957, they named him after the Kenyon Drive-in they saw while travelling to Pittsburgh. In time, they welcomed two more children, daughters Kammy and Kathleen. Bob began his long teaching career in Comstock in 1961, and Sid devoted herself to creating a loving and supportive home for her family. While raising their family, Sid and Bob enjoyed camping trips in Bob's beloved VW buses. Leisurely Sunday drives after church often led to eating frog legs at the Magic Carpet or stopping for ice cream. Sid loved discovering new places and took a new route every Sunday to see new areas. Even when she had an appointment across town, she'd take the back roads or find new ways to get there. They avoided freeways even when they went to Pittsburgh, enjoying seeing the sights along the way.

Though frugal, Sid knew how to have fun. She loved bowling three times a week in multiple leagues, including a couples league with Bob. She even played in out-of-town tournaments. While taking a new route, she and the kids got caught in the elevator between floors at Gilmore's Department Store once. She enjoyed attending Pittsburgh Pirates games with Bob, and her favorite team was the Chicago Cubs. She loved attending Cubs' games, and her kids took her to her last game in Chicago in 2012. She was her grandkids' biggest fan and relished cheering them on in all their endeavors. She especially enjoyed taking to the ice with her grandson on Senior Day.

Church was very important to Sid. In addition to attending mass three times every weekend, she cleaned the church every Thursday and often baked or made things for church sales. She volunteered for everything: Little League, bake sales, food pantry, PTA, Head Start, luncheons, and so much more. Never one to be idle, Sid always had something to do and somewhere to go. She often rode her bicycle around the neighborhood, something she enjoyed doing until she turned 84. She enjoyed watching game shows like The Price is Right, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune in quieter time at home.

Clearly, the world feels less certain in the absence of Sid's steadfast love and support. May we find comfort in our many treasured memories and in the honor of carrying her legacy forward. In each moment, we generously give of our gifts, choose curiosity over fear, cheer on our loved ones' efforts, and enjoy a bike ride, we celebrate the many ways Sid touched, moved, and inspired us.

Sidonie Shane, of Kalamazoo, died on September 2, 2023. Sid was born November 12, 1934, in Kalamazoo to the late Joseph and Laura (Tatro) VandeMaele. Also preceding her in death are her husband, Bob; brothers, Joe VandeMaele and Fritz VandeMaele. Surviving are her children: Kenyon (Marie) Shane, Kammy (Bob) Vorva, and Kathleen Easter; grandchildren: Amber (Chris), Kenyon, Jessica (Tony), Kaylee, Candace (Josh), Hunter (Delphine), and Shane; step-grandchildren: Dean, Rachael, and Andrea; many great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us at a Life Story Celebration on Friday, September 8, from 5-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, 269-375-2900. The rosary will be recited at 7 PM. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 9, at 11 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Kalamazoo, with a reception to follow. Burial at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Visit Sid's webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church.