Linda Jean Hanley

1944 - 2022

Linda Jean Hanley
Beulah, MI
March 17, 1944 - August 6, 2022
The family and friends of Linda Kelley Hanley mourn the loss of a wonderful woman – daughter, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandma, companion, friend and incomparable hostess.
Linda died quietly, in peace at her home, on Saturday, August 6, 2022. She is survived by her father, Martin Shackelford and her sister Laura Carter, daughters Meghan Louwsma and Heather Frary, sons-in-law Jeff Louswma and William Frary, Heather's fiancé Nick Palmer, grandchildren Hannah and Eliza Frary and Lucan Louwsma, her dear companion of twelve years Charlie Engelhart, and many, many friends, both local and country-wide.
She was pre-deceased by her husband James Patrick Hanley and her mother Dorothy Bullis Shackelford.
Linda was born on St. Patrick's Day, 1944. She loved all things Irish, and had traveled to the Emerald Isle numerous times, including a visit to scatter Jim's ashes in County Mayo. The Hanley hospitality was legendary at their home in Crystal Highlands whose motto was Céad Mile Fáilte, 100,000 welcomes.
In 1962, Linda graduated from Dearborn High School, went on to earn a BA in Education and later completed a Master's Degree from Eastern Michigan University. She taught K-8 Art and Computer Science until her retirement, when the household moved from Flint to Benzie County. Devoted to family, she was thrilled when both her daughters decided to settle locally and raise their families nearby. She loved her daughters, their partners and her own, but her pride and joy centered on her beloved grandchildren, Hannah, Eliza and Lucan.
A voracious reader, art collector, decorator (renowned for her love of the color red), expert shopper (a skill from which we all benefitted), artist and traveler, Linda continued to work on her "bucket list," that she regretfully left unfinished. Nevertheless, having visited dozens of countries, she had made significant progress towards fulfilling her wanderlust goals. Linda's generous spirit and enthusiasm for life enveloped her family of friends whose birthdays she always remembered and who were welcome in her home for all occasions, real and invented, especially, on St. Patrick's Day. We will sorely miss her endearing malapropisms, her creativity, compassion and warm humor, but we were blessed by her presence in, and influence on our lives.
Cremation has taken place. There will be an informal celebration of life for Linda's family and friends at the Hanley home, 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2022. Arrangements by Jowett Family Funeral Home, Benzonia.