Shae Steven Franklin

Shae Steven Franklin passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 10, 2023. A native Wichitan and graduate of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Shae was the youngest daughter of Sandra and Joseph Steven Jr. She attended the University of Kansas, where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in sociology. In 2004, Shae left her home state to earn a law degree from the University of Colorado. The majority of her career as an attorney was spent in Denver at Collins & Collins, and Brosseau Bartlett Lieberman before serving as special counsel at Allen & Curry. In 2018, Shae married Luke Franklin in a 1920s-themed wedding in Wichita; three years later, they relocated from Denver to Shae's hometown, where they chose to raise their two daughters near her family. Though beloved by her countless relatives, it was an even greater number of friends and colleagues whose lives Shae touched. Following the example set by her father, Shae truly never met a stranger and could find common ground with all walks of life. Whether meticulously checking things off her to-do list, enjoying plates full of her family's Lebanese food, or the occasional indulgence in reality TV, Shae was always the sweetest, most genuinely kind person in any room. Above all, Shae was mother to Simone Josephine and Sofia Violette, to whom she devoted her life in the three short years she was with them in person and who will invariably carry on her memory into the future.
Shae is preceded in death by her father, Joseph Steven Jr.; her grandparents, Violette and Shafeek Ammar, and Esther and Joseph Steven; and her beloved four-legged companion, Abu.
In addition to her daughters, Simone and Sofia, she is survived by her husband, Luke Franklin; mother, Sandra Steven; sister, Jasmin (John) Rupp; nieces, Harper and Lola; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends-all of whom were touched by Shae's generosity of spirit and heartfelt loyalty.
A Rosary will be held Tuesday, February 14 at 5 PM, with a Funeral Mass on Wednesday, February 15 at 10:30 AM-both at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1321 N. Stratford Lane in Wichita.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Hearts United for Animals, which originally united Shae with Abu in 2007: PO Box 286, Auburn, NE 68305; hua.org.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.