Deborah Lenna Shanks

Deborah Lenna Shanks of Montclair, New Jersey, and Jamestown, North Carolina, passed away on July 10, 2024, after a struggle with illness. She was born to the late Vernice and Ruth Shanks on April 17, 1951, in Greensboro, NC. She was family-centered and devoted as sister to Vernon Shanks (High Point, NC), sister-in-law to Cheryl, aunt to Evan (Wilmington, NC), and proud godmother to Erica Shockley.

Deborah's life was a tapestry of dedication to science, science education, and philanthropy. Deborah graduated from Ben L. Smith Senior High School in 1969 before pursuing her passion for chemistry through a Presidential Scholarship to North Carolina A&T State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in chemistry. She continued her academic journey, earning a Master of Science in chemistry from Stevens Institute of Technology. Her career spanned roles at Celanese Chemical Company and culminated at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where she specialized in the sales and advancement of mass spectrometry technology until her retirement in 2016.

Deborah's interests extended beyond technology sales. She was an enthusiastic volunteer with Student 2 Science, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing STEM education to underserved communities. Her involvement exemplified her commitment to ensuring all students had access to quality science education. Additionally, Deborah was an active member of the New Jersey chapter of the Aggie Alumni Association, demonstrating her enduring connection to her alma mater and her passion for fostering educational opportunities for others.

In her leisure time, Deborah loved to ski wherever the world took her. She enjoyed culinary pursuits as a dedicated "foodie," impressing family and friends with her culinary skills and gracious hospitality. That creativity extended to her enthusiasm for gardening, floral arranging, and sewing, where she delighted in crafting beautiful gifts for loved ones. Known for her vibrant personality and love for music, especially when listening to the Temptations, Deborah's spirit lit up any room she entered. Above all, Deborah will be remembered for her boundless generosity-woven through every aspect of her life-her selfless giving of time and resources to people and causes close to her heart. The lives she touched through her philanthropy, tutoring, and mentoring will leave a lasting impact on the communities she served. Deborah leaves behind a legacy of kindness, intellect, and compassion that will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.

In honor of her memory and dedication to science, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the endowed scholarship she established, the Generation of STEM Majors Endowed Scholarship at North Carolina A&T State University, University Advancement, 1601 East Market Street, Suite 400, Greensboro, NC. Please add to the memo line of any check: Generation of STEM Majors Endowed Scholarship. Donations may also be made online by clicking HERE . Under "title," select Generation of STEM Majors Endowed Scholarship.

The Shanks family extends heartfelt appreciation to Deborah's friends throughout the country for their thoughts, prayers, and acts of kindness. We thank the communities of Montclair, NJ and Jamestown, NC, who embraced her as a neighbor and friend. We also thank Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center for caring for Deborah during her illness. Plans for a memorial in Montclair are underway.