Obituary of Janice Seng Shaker

Janice Seng Shaker died peacefully on Friday, August 25 in Darien, CT. Janice was 100 years old and was predeceased in 2005 by her husband, Theodore (Ted) Frederick Shaker. She was one of a kind.

Janice lived a wonderful life. She grew up in Chicago and Evanston, IL. and lived most of her life in Darien, CT. Janice loved people and was very active and outgoing. Above all, she loved her family, extended family, and had a wide circle of friends. She had a special place in her heart for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephew and was a lifelong lover of dogs.

Janice was always curious, a world traveler and history buff, with an abundance of energy, who would drop everything to play any sort of game. She was competitive in tennis, golf, croquet, duplicate bridge, took flying lessons and enjoyed bone fishing. Janice was always "up" for festive events and celebrations especially when family and friends were involved. She had a great sense of humor and was quick to laugh or throw out a one-liner. Janice was a member of The Junior League and a longtime volunteer for The Children's Aid Society.

Janice was born in Evanston, Illinois on June 13, 1923, to Mildred Mitchell and John Seng.

When Janice was 18 months old, her mother passed away giving birth to her sister, Carol. Janice and Carol were raised by their father and stepmother, Adine. Their family soon grew to include another sister, also named Adine.

The family spent summers at the family's working farm in Crystal Lake, Illinois which they lovingly called The Farm Sengri-la. It was a touchstone of their lives and their children's lives for many years.

Following her graduation from Evanston Township High School, Janice attended Penn Hall Junior College and Denison University.

During World War II, Janice volunteered with the American Red Cross, driving an ambulance transferring wounded soldiers to hospitals around Chicago.

Janice married her high school sweetheart, Theodore Frederick Shaker in 1946, upon the completion of his service in World War Two, where he served as a Marine Navy bomber pilot who Captained B -25 aircraft off the coast of New Guinea.

Ted's career in broadcasting took his family from Detroit to Chicago, then to New York City, Milwaukee and finally back to New York City, where the couple and their young family settled in Darien, CT, in 1953. Janice enjoyed living in Darien for 70 years.

The Shakers were active members of the Tokeneke Beach Club, Wee Burn Country Club, John's Island Golf Club and Riomar Golf Club in Vero Beach, FL. where they owned a home for many years.

Predeceased by Ted in 2005, Janice is survived by her three children: Susan, of Darien, Connecticut, Ted, Jr (Sheryl), of South Burlington, Vermont, and John, of Stamford, Connecticut; and eight grandchildren, Peter Stant, Alex Stant, Tyler Brownlee (Kerry), Molly Shaker, Grace Shaker, Will Shaker, Chris Shaker, Sara Shaker, and five great grandchildren.

Janice was very close to her sister Carol and remained close to Carol's four children: Carol Carmichael Geyer, Robert Carmichael, Laura Carmichael Smith, and Katherine Carmichael, their spouses and grandchildren following her sister's untimely death.

We are forever grateful to her longtime personal angel Erika, and her other faithful, devoted caregivers Maka, Sandy, and Fundy.

A celebration of Janice Shaker's life will be held Saturday October 14, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Saint Thomas More Parish, 374 Middlesex Road, Darien, CT 06820.  A reception will be held afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, pleased consider a donation to:

Darien EMS Post 53

Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals/ASPCA