"Dear Mike & Pat, I saw that your mother went to be with her Lord and Saviour and I was unable to attend her services. However, I just wanted to write to you to let you know that you are in my prayers and also to share some memories of who your mother was to me--Mrs. Henshaw. I remember that Mrs. Henshaw was always very proper and always did things in the best of taste. I started piano lessons with her when I was 8 years old and able to read well. She always sat in an antique chair that had a crosstitch design of a flower on the seat. I always sat in front of the piano, looking at the lamps with the butterflies and dried flowers on its shade. She had pictures of musical notes and of composers on the walls of the music room--the front entrance room. I looked out her big window and mused that life would never change--I would some how never grow up to be an adult. That future seemed so far away and almost unreal. Anyway, when I passed a song, I would get a really neat sticker. I did not want to disappoint Mrs. Henshaw by not being ready, so I usually practiced quite a bit throughout the week. One week I did not practice too much and she said, "Jenny...I've come to expect more from you. I am disappointed, you must practice more--and COUNT!" I didn't want to disappoint her again....when she stopped giving lessons, I went to teacher in Sidney. With my new teacher, I reached the height of my piano career when I got a I at State Music Competition with "Sonata in C Minor" by Beethoven. I knew that my days with Mrs. Henshaw had laid the foundation for that success! All those years of piano lessons at Mrs. Henshaw's house involved waiting for my sister Heidi to finish her lesson. That meant that I sat on the couch near the TV room and read coffee table books while waiting. I especially remember Where's Waldo Books and the story from the Big Bad Wolf's Perspective. One day, Mr. Henshaw was smoking a pipe in his chair and reading the newspaper. He said to me, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I said, "A dentist!" He laughed and said, "Oh no, you'll see! You will get married right away and have a bunch of babies!" (That hasn't happened yet!) I always liked Mrs. Henshaw...she was in a class high above most people today. She was always dignified and always had something nice to say. I really wanted her to approve of me. Recently, when she was in Elm Heights, I would wait for her to come out and listen to me play piano or violin for the residents each month. She just loved listening to the music....she always seemed to perk up when she heard my playing. She sometimes would cry and say, "This brings back so many memories!" I was sad that she was having problems, but also knew that there was a home waiting for her in heaven where she would be perfectly happy--with all the music of the angels around her! I am sorry for your loss, but am glad that Mrs. Henshaw is now in heaven (along with my grandma who also loved music)and she feels no more pain or sadness. She is just waiting for the day when you two join her. To us, that may seem long, but for her it will be but a moment. God bless you both and the memory of your wonderful mother, Alice "Jean" Henshaw. Love, Jenny Goodell "
In loving memory of
Jean Henshaw
August 1, 2007
Alice "Jean" (Tunnicliff ) Henshaw was born October 10, 1921 in Shenandoah, Iowa to Fred Eugene Tunnicliff and Ruth Hazel (Hunter) Tunnicliff. Jean passed away August 1, 2007 at Elm Heights in Shenandoah, Iowa at the age of 85.
All of Jean's early life was spent in Shenandoah. She graduated from Shenandoah High School in 1939 and then attended Christian College in Columbia, Missouri where she studied music and nursing. In 1941 she received her A.A. degree.
On February 6, 1943, Jean was united in marriage to Jack Alan Henshaw in Midland, Texas. The couple resided in Midland after their marriage and then returned to Shenandoah.
Jean was first and foremost a homemaker, but she also taught piano. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, P.E.O., and W.S.C.S. Jean enjoyed sharing her love of music, having coffee with her friends and neighbors, volunteering and helping with the Tunnicliff Family Reunion. She was also interested in the adult and children's hand bell choir and the Civic Music Association. Jean was known for her gracious and caring ways as well as being a fine Christian woman.
Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Henshaw; parents, Fred and Ruth Tunnicliff and her sister, Ariel Stephens. She is survived by her son, Michael Henshaw and wife Pat of Longmont, CO; grandson, Bruce Henshaw and wife Heather of Mesilla, NM; granddaughter, Kerri Atkinson and husband John of Loveland, CO; great grandchildren, Hannah and Tristan Atkinson of Loveland, CO; sister-in-law, Suzanne Henshaw Berry of Shenandoah; niece, Patricia Holmes and husband Kermit of Nebraska City, NE; niece, Joan Kanel and husband Max of Rogersville, MO; nieces, Theresa Henshaw, Barbara Henshaw and nephew Douglas Henshaw all of Houston, TX; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 4, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Shenandoah, Iowa. Words of comfort were given by Rev. Jim Gubser. Soloists Doug Henshaw and Hannah Atkinson were accompanied by organist Becky Hoenshel. Mary Alice Johnson and Helen Castle attended the memory register. Ushers were Jim Sligar and Howard Johnson. Casket bearers were Jeff Johnson, Mark Johnson, Carl Hale, Ron Boettcher, John Maloney and John McNeilly. All of Jean's former students were honorary casket bearers. Burial was at Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah, Iowa. Remembrances and condolences can be shared with the family at www.hackettlivingston.com. Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"Please accept my condolences. Jean was a wonderful lady. I didn't know her long, but met her through church. I also took her to some of the Shenandoah Music Association concerts. She certainly had a love of music and children. Sincerely, Doris Sandquist"
"My sincere sympathy to the family of Jean. Jean was my piano teacher for so many years, and I learned so much from her. She not only taught me the appreciation for music and discipline, but encouraged me to get a degree in music education and to teach music in the public school systems for numerous years. I still think of Jean when I sit down at the piano. I can remember my beginning years of piano lessons when she would bring out a little footstool to rest my dangling feet on when playing the piano! She was cherished my me and my family, as well. Sincerely, Sharon Spies Thalman"
"Mike and Family- My deepest sympathy in the loss of your Mom. Ron Lee"
"Jean was a very lovely woman, gracious and definitely a LADY. The gift she gave our children by teaching them piano has been a real joy to us, to them, and to those they play for. We have many, many memories of visits to her home, having "coffee" with her, taking her flowers, having her come to our graduations...all good memories. You were blessed to have her, as were we. Our prayers go with you...may God help you through tough days and give you comfort today. Jean is in a wonderful place now and so, it is for those still here to deal with her loss. I'm glad that she is not having to deal with pain or a body that isn't doing what she wanted it to...I think you probably are too. Just imagine how she will love the music up there in heaven! Well, MUCH LOVE to our lovely Jean...and to you and your entire family. Greg, Kriss, Heidi, Jenny, Eric, Molly and Alex Goodell"