March 8, 1921 — March 24, 2013

Luree B. Shontz, age 92, of Davis passed away Sunday March 24, 2013.

She was born in Everett, Wash., on March 8, 1921. Luree attended The General Hospital School of Nursing in Everett, joined the Red Cross after graduation and worked in Seattle Childrens Orthopedic Hospital. In 1942, responding to a request for nurses for World War II, Luree joined the Army Nurse Corps.

At age 21, 2nd Lt. Luree Jacques Beard sailed from the Presidio of San Francisco on the cruise ship the Ille de France (the only ship available) not knowing their destination or what a profound impact her decision would have on her future. She met 1st Lt. Howard B. Shontz on this voyage and they married July 3, 1943, in the Great Iranian Desert at the Officers Club, 19th Field Hospital, Andimeshk, Iran.

While her first and unmatched love was her family, Luree was always very dedicated to community service. She remained an active program volunteer for the Red Cross for 45 years, serving in Santa Cruz, Berkeley and Davis. She felt the same love for her church, filling various leadership roles in these communities through the years. Luree also very much enjoyed Town and Gown in Berkeley.

Luree showed the same loyalty and love for the University of California as that of her husband Howard. She served on the UC Foundation Board, was an active Prytanean member on both the Berkeley and Davis campuses, an officer in Section Club and the Foreign Student Committee on the Berkeley campus, an enthusiastic supporter of STUDENTS FIRST, an active volunteer at International House on both the Berkeley and Davis campuses, a member of the UCD Chancellor’s Club, and an ardent supporter of the Bodega Marine Laboratory in Bodega Bay.

Luree was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Howard B. Shontz and daughter Sandra Luree Brownfield.

Luree is survived by daughter Robin S. Murphy (Les) of Clarksburg; sons Brian Shontz (Selinda) of Davis and David Shontz (Stephanie) of Larchmont, N.Y.; grandchildren Jon (Cindy), Michi (Chris), Amy, Hilary, Harry and Jamie; and great-grandchildren Max and Meghan.

A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, April 19, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 640 Hawthorn Lane in Davis.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Howard B. Shontz Scholarship at UC Davis (c/o Cal Aggie Alumni Association, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616), St. Martin’s Episcopal Church (640 Hawthorn Lane, Davis 95616), Groton School (282 Farmers Row, Groton, MA 01450) or your local chapter of the American Red Cross.

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