Marie "Inkie" Shaner

Marie "Inkie" Shaner

Marie Enke "Inkie" Shaner, 95, of Lynchburg, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2026. She was the wife of the late Ralph Edward Shaner, Jr.

Enke was born in Washington, D.C. on February 18, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Boyd Headley Enke and Sybil Cleo Kirwan Enke.

She graduated from George Washington High School in 1949. She was united in marriage to Ralph Shaner Jr. on January 9, 1953, in Alexandria, Va. She graduated from Lynchburg College with three degrees - Bachelor BA in education, Master in Education, MEd and Educational Specialist Ed, S.

Marie was a dedicated public school educator, teaching 36 years for Lynchburg City Schools (EC Glass HS, Robert E. Lee JH, Sandusky JH, Dunbar Middle and Heritage HS). She chaired the health and physical education department at Heritage High School, where she taught driver's education, and coached volleyball. She also taught synchronized swimming at Lynchburg College. During her summers she as managed the pool and coached swimming at both Boonsboro CC and Sandusky pool.

She was awarded Health Educator of the Year for the state of Virginia in 1985. Marie was also a member of the National High School Coaches Association. She was recognized as Regional Volleyball Coach of the Year in 1979. She became the Family Life Education Coordinator for Lynchburg City Schools, writing the curriculum for the program. She served on numerous curriculum committees for the Virginia Department of Education, helping to write the standards of learning for health, as well as driver's education. Amongst all these honors, she would say that her greatest accomplishment was her son, Jeffrey.

She greatly enjoyed playing golf and was inducted into the Boonsboro Ladies Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2002. She was a longstanding member of Quaker Memorial Presbyterian, where she sang in the choir. Marie enjoyed all sports, writing, cross-stitch, drawing, gardening and reading. She was also a great lover of dogs.

She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Shaner and his wife, Karin; two grandsons, Ellet "Mick" Shaner, Raleigh, N.C., and Jacob Shaner (Samantha) Lewisburg, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to athletics department of the University of Lynchburg, or the Lynchburg Humane Society.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory, (434) 239-2405, is assisting the family. Memories and thoughts may be shared with the family at www.heritagefuneralandcremation.com