Jean Ladon Shand

Jean Shand of Wimberley, Texas passed away on May 2, 2021, at the age of 88. Jean was born in Sherman, Texas on April 14, 1933. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years Edward, parents Jacqueline and Joe Dan Akridge and her great grandson Tysen Russell Shand. Jean is survived by her children, David and Kelley, her grandson David Jr. and wife Amber, two great grandchildren Bostyn and Brody, and her sister Sandra.

Jean and Ed met at North Texas State University and were married June 4, 1955. After teaching in Corpus Christi and Alice, Jean and Ed came to Wimberley and bought a house on the Blanco River in 1965. Neighbors quickly became best friends and the Monday night bridge group was formed. Jean played bridge every Monday night until midnight come rain or shine (or flood.) Jean loved to have friends and family over for wiener roasts down by the river and led many tubing trips down the Blanco. She loved to host a New Year celebration each year with a big fire and assorted fireworks. The river was also her favorite fishing spot and she could spend hours sitting with Charlotte, (the family beloved Weimaraner) watching her cork bob as the perch played with the bacon on her hook.

Jean was an educator and spent her last 21 years of teaching at San Marcos Academy. She taught health, physical education, sponsored the cheerleaders, and formed the school dance team called the Laurelettes. She loved her years at SMA and continued to have life long friendships with her colleagues and students after she retired in 1990. She published a history of SMA titled “Echoes in Your Memories” in 1989.

In retirement, Jean and Ed moved to their “Ranchita” on Fischer Store Road. They traveled all over the country rock hunting and sight-seeing. Jean also played golf every Tuesday and had her garage sale map ready to go on Saturdays! Jean and her friends had a booth at Market Day for years using their profits for trips to Grand Canyon and other beautiful places. Jean loved to research local history and was involved with the Wimberley Cemetery Association and the Hays County Historical Commission. She also did extensive genealogy research on her side of the family and also on Ed’s. This led to a wonderful trip to Scotland to experience Ed’s ancestral home.

The Shand family has been so blessed by family, friends, and caregivers that have supported and cared for Jean and Ed. Jean’s life was changed by dementia, but she never lost her humor. Thank you to our individual caregivers and to Bluebonnet Hospice and Alexis Pointe Memory Care for your loving care. A celebration of Jean’s life (you know she loved a good party) will be held in the fall at her beloved Blanco River. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite local charity.