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Obituaries

Former school psychologist and counselor dies

William James "Bill" Shanahan, a Cupertino School District psychologist and guidance counselor, died Aug. 20 after a lengthy battle with bone cancer. He was 81.

Born and raised in Whitefish, Mont., Shanahan joined the army in 1944. That same year he also married Betty Jane Sagen. They were married for 56 years before Betty's death in 2000.

Following his graduation from the University of Montana, Shanahan began his teaching and counseling career at Three Forks High School. He taught science classes and helped create the first guidance-counseling program for the district.

With an advanced degree from Washington State University and a number of degrees from other Bay Area colleges, Shanahan was hired as a psychologist and guidance counselor for the Cupertino School District.

During his 20 years with the district, he developed a special education program and a gifted-child education program.

His greatest sense of achievement, other than his family, came from knowing how he contributed to the growth and education of more than 6,000 students. Over the years, many students sent letters of appreciation to Shanahan, which he saved as a way of remembering how much his students meant to him.

In 1984, Shanahan and his wife retired to Whitefish. His retirement years were spent painting, woodworking and vacationing in California, Washington and western Montana.

Shanahan is survived by his two daughters ,Jan and Sheryl, three grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Memorial services took place in Whitefish. Burial followed at the Glacier Memorial Gardens.