Familiar Icons
Candace Drucelle Shankel
In the last two years I have had some life-altering experiences; being far away from my family, especially my twin sister for the first time, falling in love, and losing one of my friends, Leslie. Not being drawn to any one religion, despite my Catholic education, I turned to the stories of my ancestors; the humor, the tragedy, and the passion, to guide me.
We hold on to our dead relative’s possessions; they become our holy relics. We repeat and pass along their stories; they become our parables. We venerate the dead, as Catholics venerate saints. These shrines are a study of my past. For whether we see it or not our ancestors, in all their faults and glory, form part of our own story.
My Maternal Side
The Virgin Marian
Grandmother Marian Dyer
December 20, 1930 – November 27, 1988
Saint Marian
Grandmother Marian Dyer
December 20, 1930 - November 27, 1988
Saint Bea
Aunt Bedour "Bea" Benham
November 19, 1921 – January 1, 2009
Saint Lou
"Pop Pop" Louis Dyer
February 22, 1927 – November 26, 1999
My Paternal Side
Saint Krys
Great-Grandma Krysteen "Krys" Steinle
June 18, 1910 – January 29, 2006
Saint Martini of Joan
Grandma Joan Shankel
July 3, 1935 – October 12, 1998
Young Saint Willard
Grandpa Lewis Willard Shankel
July 3, 1935 – October 12, 1998
Saint Willard
Grandpa Lewis Willard Shankel M.D.
July 3, 1935 – October 12, 1998
Grandpa Lewis Willard Shankel M.D.
July 3, 1935 – October 12, 1998
Saint Helen
Great-Grandma Helen Josephine Shankel
June 18, 1910 – January 29, 2006
