BENTON -- Shirley Ann (Ryan) McCann, 87, passed away at 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2017, in Lee, New Hampshire.
She was born Jan. 13, 1930, in Benton, the only child of Robert Percy and Leota (Doty) Ryan. She married Charles E. McCann on Oct. 2, 1948. Both of her parents and her husband preceded her in death.
Mrs. McCann graduated from Benton High School in 1947 and attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She and Charles, a pharmacist, owned and operated McCann Drug on the public square in Benton for many years.
She was the first woman elected to Benton City Council. As a member of the city council, she acted as the liaison between the city and Benton Neighborhood Program for the Elderly. And, in 1979, she became director of Franklin County Senior Services (Wit and Wisdom) in West Frankfort.
Mrs. McCann served the senior citizens of the county in that capacity for 20 years, retiring in 1999. She was a board member of the South Central Regional Transit Board (SCT) centered in Centralia, but serving Southern Illinois. After her retirement, she continued to serve on the Volunteer Services for seniors and the transit boards. She also was a member of the Rotary Club and Benton Elks, where she served as a board member.
Survivors include three children, Lorrie McCann of Winchester, Virginia, Holly McCann of Kensington, New Hampshire, and Christopher McCann of Coulterville; 11 grandchildren, Matthew Griffith, David Griffith, Ethan Auten, Adrian Auten, Amanda Phifer, Christopher McCann, Jeremiah McCann, Alisha Craddock, Logan McCann, JB McCann and Jacob McCann; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She also was preceded in death by two sons, Charles Ryan McCann and Jon David McCann.
Private graveside services will be in Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., in Benton.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. McCann’s honor to Franklin County Senior Services or Meals on Wheels program and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.patefh.com.
