In memory of Eleanor Shantz
Eleanor R. Shantz, of Eugene Oregon, died on June 10, 2023 at the age of 82. Eleanor Brock was born a twin in California and moved to Myrtle Point, Oregon when she was a young child. Eleanor and Wayne Shantz were married for 61 years where they created a legacy in the dahlia world. Eleanor was a key leader of the Lane County Dahlia Society. She was the Society President for many years and served in other roles. She presented the awards for each annual show where she intentionally made each award presentation personally meaningful, encouraging every exhibitor. The extraordinarily tall, mass display she created each year featured dahlias and cattails she foraged, and was the centerpiece of the show room, truly a trademark of the Lane County show.
Eleanor was best known in dahlia circles for the artistic dahlia baskets she created with the technical precision she mastered. Her entries in local and national exhibitions garnered many Best of Show ribbons. She was known as the “one to beat” in these competitions. She was generous in passing on her skills through well-attended seminars and her personal mentoring over the years. Her use of salal and sword ferns in most of her baskets were rooted in the harvesting of these from her childhood family property which were sold to florists and helped pay for college.
In their peak dahlia growing years Eleanor and Wayne grew 500-600 plants. They introduced several new dahlia cultivars and in 1981 they received both the Derrill Hart and Lynn Dudley medals, for “Daddy’s Girlie”, a miniature, formal decorative, purple dahlia.
From 1982 through 2010, they were trainers of dahlia judges. Eleanor and Wayne traveled long distances to provide dahlia instruction from California, Utah, Montana, British Columbia, and many sessions in Washington and Oregon. Many years ago, they developed a comprehensive set of judges training DVD’s which filled a need for those that wanted to learn about judging dahlias but were not able to attend live training sessions. One specific quality dahlia judges are taught is judging demeanor. Eleanor exhibited the kindness and respect of judging demeanor not only in judging, but in life. She was a true lady in every sense of the word.
Wayne and Eleanor co-chaired the Classification Committee for the American Dahlia Society from 2002-2007. This is a big job that results in the annual Classification Handbook which is probably the most anticipated publication of the ADS. Many technological hurdles were overcome during their tenure to create a more user-friendly database system. Eleanor and Wayne held a leadership role with the Pacific Northwest Dahlia Conference and were recipients of the Conference Gold Medal in 1993. In recognition of the significant service provided to the ADS, Eleanor and Wayne were selected as Gold Medal honorees in 2006. This award celebrates exceptional contributions to the national society. Eleanor and Wayne are part of an elite group of members who can claim this special honor.
Eleanor was an elementary school teacher and active in her church. Many were blessed by the hospitality that Eleanor provided for her family which extended to her church and her many friends. Her special musical talent was playing the piano by ear. She played for her church and for family and friends at home. Eleanor had a great love of playing gospel music, but also enjoyed many other musical forms. Succinctly, she loved music, even singing songs she had listened to in high school or from her choral singing.
She is survived by her husband Wayne, sister, Eloise Phillips (Vic), her daughter, Norma (Marv), her son, Brad (Anne), and her beloved grandchildren Erica, Kiesha, Jared (Katie), Arwen, and Levi. Memorial contributions should be made to the American Dahlia Society. Follow this link to do this online or contributions can be mailed to the American Dahlia Society in care of Charles Miehm,
Treasurer, 38430 Piggott Bottom, Hamilton, VA 20158
Submitted by Laura and Mark Oldenkamp
