Lois Shankin

Lois Joann Shankin, 91, died Nov. 20, 2020 at home, where she was reunited with her beloved husband William who died on the exact same date 12 years earlier. Lois was the second eldest of the four children of Johanna and George Schneider.  After growing up in several locations in Detroit, Lois remembered playing baseball in Clark Park and moving to Westphalia Street, where the family lived for many years.  When Lois was in high school, the family shortened their name from Schuckschneider to Schneider, a change Lois said she did not approve of because her classmates always knew who “that girl with that name” was.  After graduating from Denby High School, a cousin procured Lois a job in a downtown Detroit bank and introduced the teen to a glamorous working girl style. A blind date engineered by close friend and later sister-in-law Delores Otto led Lois to her future husband Bill Shankin.  The two fell in love and married, eventually raising a large family with seven active children.  Summer vacations always included stays at the family cottage near Port Austin, Michigan at Pointe Aux Barques. During her last summer, Lois visited the cottage with her devoted caregiver and granddaughter Stefanie and enjoyed seeing friends and family.  A skilled card-player, Lois was the frequent champ of her neighborhood bridge club, played complicated duplicate bridge with her husband as a partner, outwitted her inlaws at pinochle and continued playing euchre until just days before she died.  Church always held a major role in the family’s life and as she got older, Lois’s faith grew. Lois was very active in her church and participated in many outreach programs. After her husband died, Lois and several roommates maintained busy schedules led by church activities and services.  Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren — who called her Gigi for great grandma — will surely miss her gentle and loving presence.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 11am at Rochester Christian Church, 4435 Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48306.