DeVonna R. Allison
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
HARRISONBURG, Virginia (Mennonite Mission Network)- Marie Hershey (Leaman) Shenk, 72, a 7-year Mennonite Board of Missions worker in Israel and Palestine, died September 7, 2010, at her home at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community-Park Gables in Harrisonburg.

Shenk was born May 25, 1938, to Daniel and Elizabeth (Hershey) Leaman, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Lancaster (Pa.) Mennonite School, Shenk continued her education at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, where she received a B.A. in Liberal Arts with a minor in Missions. At Eastern Mennonite Seminary she received an M.A. in Religion.

On August 30, 1958, she married Calvin E. Shenk. Together they raised three children.

In 1994 Marie and Calvin Shenk began a joint assignment in Israel and Palestine under Mennonite Board of Missions, a precursor organization to Mennonite Mission Network, and Mennonite Central Committee. For the next 7 years, until 2001, the couple lived six months of every year in Jerusalem, returning to Harrisonburg for the remaining six months where Calvin taught at Eastern Mennonite University

It was during this time that Marie studied for her M.A. degree in Religion. Her deep interest in the Mennonite involvement with Judaism in Israel led her to write a thesis entitled, “Mennonite Encounter with Judaism in Israel, 1953-1993”.

“Marie and Calvin joined the Mennonite team in the Middle East at a crucial point in history,” said John F. Lapp, Mennonite Mission Network director for Asia and the Middle East. Lapp remembered Marie Shenk for her lively, outgoing personality and enthusiasm. “She enjoyed getting to know Israeli Jews, Palestinian Muslims, and the Christians of all nationalities in Jerusalem. We have missed her presence and unique insights in the region.”

Marie Shenk is survived by her husband of 52 years, Calvin; a son, Douglas, and his wife, Elaine, of Hummelstown, Pa.; a son, Duane, and his wife, Tanya, of Harrisonburg; one daughter, Donna Shenk, and her husband, Ryan Sensenig, of Goshen, Ind.; one brother, M. Hershey Leaman, and his wife, Norma, of Lititz, Pa.; a sister, Evelyn Sweigart and her husband, John, of Lititz,Pa.; a sister, Elizabeth Lehman, and her husband, John, of Harrison Valley, Pa.; and a sister-in-law, Grace Leaman, of Lincoln University, Pa. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jamila, Andre, Nathaniel, Alia, Alyssa, Addison, Ava, Mara, and Isaac.

Shenk was preceded in death by one brother, James Leaman, who died in May 2002.

 

 

 Related articles

 

 

Teachers become students in IndiaTheological Educationhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5001/Teachers-become-students-in-IndiaTeachers become students in IndiaGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Kolkata
Rethinking "Thanksgiving"Thanksgiving Dayhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5009/Rethinking-ThanksgivingRethinking "Thanksgiving"GP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Mennonites in Ecuador reach out as their country strugglesPeacebuildinghttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5000/Mennonites-in-Ecuador-reach-outMennonites in Ecuador reach out as their country strugglesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Couple experiences shalom and community across the United StatesSOOPVideohttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4928/Couple-experiences-shalom-and-communityCouple experiences shalom and community across the United StatesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Mission worker shared faith through Anabaptist scholarshipObituaryhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4997/Mission-worker-shared-faith-through-Anabaptist-scholarshipMission worker shared faith through Anabaptist scholarshipGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Mission worker remembered for a ministry of presence in India and the United StatesObituaryhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4996/Mission-worker-remembered-for-a-ministry-of-presence-in-India-and-the-United-StatesMission worker remembered for a ministry of presence in India and the United StatesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
An adoptee who invites othersLeadershiphttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4993/An-adoptee-who-invites-othersAn adoptee who invites othersGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Markers commemorate Bodéwadmi-Myaamia Trail in northern IndianaBodéwadmi-Myaamia Trailhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4992/Markers-commemorate-Bodéwadmi-Myaamia-Trail-in-northern-IndianaMarkers commemorate Bodéwadmi-Myaamia Trail in northern IndianaGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Elkhart, Indiana
Ramers serve in the big city and the wildernessSOOPhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4991/Ramers-serve-in-the-big-city-and-the-wildernessRamers serve in the big city and the wildernessGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Montreal, Québec
Harmony: A compendium of peace storiesInternational Day of Peacehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4985/HarmonyHarmony: A compendium of peace storiesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
First memorial signage of Bodewadmi Myaamia Trail to be installed September 29Press releasehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4979/First-memorial-signage-of-Bodewadmi-Myaamia-Trail-to-be-installedFirst memorial signage of Bodewadmi Myaamia Trail to be installed September 29GP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Indiana
Service Adventure units welcome new participantsService Adventurehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4974/Service-Adventure-units-welcome-new-participantsService Adventure units welcome new participantsGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Apache Stronghold continues prayerful struggle to protect sacred placesPeace and justicehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4973/Apache-Stronghold-continues-prayerful-struggleApache Stronghold continues prayerful struggle to protect sacred placesGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Arizona
Greening the faith: students plant avocado trees in GuatemalaStewardshiphttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4962/Greening-the-faithGreening the faith: students plant avocado trees in GuatemalaGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Chamelco, Alta Verapaz
Celebration of life in community carries on Service Adventure lifestyleCycles of Lifehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4961/Celebration-of-life-in-community-carries-on-Service-Adventure-lifestyleCelebration of life in community carries on Service Adventure lifestyleGP0|#52c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1;L0|#052c46992-a072-4af3-b006-834f7e8b9cb1|News;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476

 

 

 Related

 

 

Teachers become students in Indiahttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5001/Teachers-become-students-in-IndiaTeachers become students in India
Rethinking "Thanksgiving"https://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5009/Rethinking-ThanksgivingRethinking "Thanksgiving"
Mennonites in Ecuador reach out as their country struggleshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5000/Mennonites-in-Ecuador-reach-outMennonites in Ecuador reach out as their country struggles
Couple experiences shalom and community across the United Stateshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4928/Couple-experiences-shalom-and-communityCouple experiences shalom and community across the United States
Mission worker shared faith through Anabaptist scholarshiphttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4997/Mission-worker-shared-faith-through-Anabaptist-scholarshipMission worker shared faith through Anabaptist scholarship
Mission worker remembered for a ministry of presence in India and the United Stateshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/4996/Mission-worker-remembered-for-a-ministry-of-presence-in-India-and-the-United-StatesMission worker remembered for a ministry of presence in India and the United States



 

 

“Action expresses priorities.”https://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/5013/Action-expresses-priorities“Action expresses priorities.”Called to peacemaking
Take your career for a test-drive with MVS!https://www.mennonitemission.net/video/4982/Take-your-career-for-a-test-drive-with-MVSTake your career for a test-drive with MVS!MVS Minute
Teachers become students in Indiahttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5001/Teachers-become-students-in-IndiaTeachers become students in IndiaTheological Education
A Congolese pastor overcomes fear of preaching in remote communitieshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5012/A-Congolese-pastor-overcomes-fear-of-preaching-in-remote-communitiesA Congolese pastor overcomes fear of preaching in remote communitiesGod's grace
Rethinking "Thanksgiving"https://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5009/Rethinking-ThanksgivingRethinking "Thanksgiving"Thanksgiving Day
Your support makes service opportunities happen!https://www.mennonitemission.net/video/5010/Your-support-makes-service-opportunities-happenYour support makes service opportunities happen!WATCH