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Wanda Joan Shanks, age 86, of Sheffield Lake, Ohio, passed away peacefully at her home on April 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. A beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Wanda will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She was born on May 13, 1939, in Ontario, Canada, and proudly became a United States citizen on May 5, 1982. After many moves throughout her life, Wanda settled in Sheffield Lake, where she made her home for 49 years. She dedicated 25 years of service to Casters Foods, where her warm personality and outstanding customer service earned her many accolades.
Wanda married her beloved husband, Jerry, in 1967, and the two shared 58 wonderful years together. She was known for her love of cooking—often having all four burners going at once—and for helping prepare breakfasts at the American Legion and other community gatherings. Wanda enjoyed going to clubs and playing tickets, traveling on cruises, and celebrating holidays surrounded by her family.
She is lovingly survived by her children, Susan Briggs, Cynthia (Todd) Adams, Jerri-Lynn (David) Knowles, and Geoffrey Shanks; nine cherished grandchildren; and ten treasured great-grandchildren.
Please join her family and friends to celebrate her life on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 6 to 8 PM at the Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, Lorain, OH 44055.
Those who wish may contribute in Wanda's memory to the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org.
Arrangements under the direction of the WALTER A. FREY CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS (440) 244-2144
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wanda Joan Shanks, please visit our floral store.