Joanne Shay Obituary

Shay
Joanne Hickman
Shay
May 4, 1932
August 28, 2024

Born in Mobile, AL, and raised in Columbus, GA, Joanne (or Josie) attended Florida State University, where she performed as a trapeze artist in the FSU High Flying Circus. After returning to Georgia, she worked at Ft. Benning (now Ft. Moore), GA. There, she met then-captain Charles Shay, to whom she was married until his passing in 2015.
With Charles, she embraced the life of an Army spouse, making homes and communities in different cities throughout the US, as well as in Panama and Germany. They finally settled in their favorite town from all of their travels, Colorado Springs, in 1979. She became a great lover of travel, and was able to visit locations throughout Europe, Scandinavia, South America, and Australia and New Zealand.
A great supporter of our local classical music institutions, Joanne served as President of the Colorado Opera Festival Guild. Likewise, she was delighted to hold season tickets to the Colorado Springs Symphony. A beloved mother and grandmother, she is survived by her three children: Judeth, Kathleen, and Patrick; and by her four grandsons.
A visitation will be held at St Joseph R.C. Church Tuesday, September 3 at 9 am, with a rosary at 9:30 and funeral Mass at 10. A reception will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.