K. Jeanne Shinn, 47, of Bear, died of cancer Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009,at Heartland Hospice House, surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born March 31, 1962, in Baltimore, Md., grew up in Annapolis,Md., and had been a Delaware resident since 1979.

In 1991 she graduated from Wilmington College with a bachelor of science degree in business management.

She worked for the Sherwin-Williams Co. for almost 20 years, starting as a part-time
bookkeeper and rising through local retail and managerial positions to regional responsibilities as a loss-prevention specialist and auditor.

In 2005 she went into business for herself as a Guardsman Furniture Pro franchisee, combining independence with her love of working with wood and with her hands.

She also enjoyed gardening, cooking, working
with stained glass and her camping getaways.
A lifelong animal lover, her home was seldom without at least three pets romping around.

She was a member of the Delaware Woodworkers Guild, looking forward to attending the group's meetings with her son, Jeremy, and learning new woodworking techniques as well as sharing with other members their latest projects.

She also was a member of the Delaware City Lions Club, taking special delight in service projects that combined the efforts of the Delaware City club with other area Lions Clubs.

She also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in the group's Wilmington ReStore, enjoying both working in a retail environment again and helping others realize home ownership.
S
he was preceded in death by her father, Scott Shinn of New Mexico.
She is survived by her mother, Kathy Holstrom of Lewes; her sister,
Wendy (Ernie) Duckett of Annapolis; her daughter, Karen (Rupert)
Turell and granddaughters Sierra Noblitt and Bianca Turell, all of New
Castle; and her son, Jeremy Noblitt and his companion, Amy Bolen of
New Castle.

A memorial service will be held at noon, Saturday, Sept.
12, at Beeson Funeral Home, 2053 Pulasky Highway, Route 40 Newark.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heartland
Hospice House or The American Cancer Society.