Barbara Ann Shinners Grainger

Barbara Ann Shinners Grainger passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on March 2, 2016. Barbara is survived by husband, Dr. John J. Grainger, of Raleigh, NC. Barbara and John were married for 53 years and together raised four children, Elizabeth Grainger Page (Daniel), Breda Grainger Phillips (David), and John P. Grainger, each of Raleigh, NC; and Joseph Grainger (Agapy) of Chicago, Illinois. They have five grandchildren, Austin and Daniel Page, Maura and Anna Phillips, and Silas Grainger. Barbara was born December 22, 1935 in De Pere, Wisconsin to the late Dr. George M. and Marguerite Goemans Shinners. Following graduation from Green Bay West High School, Barbara completed her training as a public health registered nurse in Minnesota attending St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester and the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Barbara particularly enjoyed her work as a Dane County public health nurse in Madison, Wisconsin, especially the home visits to local farms and one-room country schools. Barbara met John, then a graduate student, at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. They married in 1963 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Following residence in Chicago, Illinois and later Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Barbara and John moved with their family to Raleigh, NC in 1977. Barbara’s interest in and respect for people underpinned her quiet yet strong confidence; she was well liked by those she met as colleagues and friends were drawn by her quiet dignity, brightness and fairness. Barbara’s basic philosophy was “If something does not make good sense, don’t do it.” Over the years in Raleigh, Barbara found fulfillment in sharing her special gifts as a nurse and volunteer, offering comfort and counsel to others at Hospice of Wake County, Open Door Clinic, Dorothea Dix Hospital, NCSU Student Health Services, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Carolinas Chapter. Barbara’s early and proximate exposure to the Oneida and Menominee communities of northern Wisconsin instilled in her a great appreciation of Native American culture and customs, fostering her support of missionary schools. Barbara was creative and artistic, loved to cook, knit, read and travel, facts attested to by her book-club memberships and numerous vacations with John to Mexico, and visiting with her extended family in Australia, Wales, Ireland, and Wisconsin. More recently, she cherished the quiet vacations with family at their small farm and home in County Wicklow, Ireland. Predeceasing Barbara are her parents and sister Margaret Shinners Gajeski. Also surviving Barbara are her sister Mary Shinners Burt (William) and brother George Shinners (Jane) both of Antigo, Wisconsin; brother Michael Shinners (Lee) of Chicago, Illinois, brother-in-law Robert Gajeski, of Bellevue, Wisconsin, her loving brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law of the Grainger family, and many, many nieces and nephews. Barbara is a member of Catholic Campus Ministry at NC State University. Visitation will be Sunday, March 6 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Bryan – Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh NC 27604. Mass in celebration of Barbara’s life will be Monday, March 7 at 11:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Leesville Road, Raleigh NC. Interment will be in De Pere, Wisconsin at a later date. Barbara’s family wishes to thank Dr. Jeremiah Boles and the nurses and staff of Rex Hospital, Transitions LifeCare and our many good neighbors and wonderful friends for their care, concern, and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Parish Outreach, 2013 North Raleigh Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604, cporaleigh.org.