Obituary of Blair Larae Shields
Blair Larae (Masching) Shields
August 27, 1981 – December 13, 2019
Blair Larae Shields, of Allen, TX, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 13, 2019, as a beautiful, intelligent, and witty 38-year-old woman. Born on August 27, 1981, in Joliet, IL, the daughter of Tom and Linda (nee Fishburn) Masching, Blair grew up in Channahon, IL. She had the honor of being crowned Young American Miss in 1997, Miss Grundy County Fair Queen in 1998, as well as multiple other awards and recognitions from her many pageants. After graduating from Minooka High School in 1999, Blair attended Oral Roberts University from 1999-2003 in Tulsa, OK, where she received her bachelor’s degree in marketing. She began full-time employment with the In His Image Family Medicine Residency program in Tulsa in 2007 and served as the Recruitment Coordinator and Development Coordinator at In His Image International through 2017. She continued to serve as a consultant with IHII until the time of her passing.
Blair married her best friend and the love of her life, Travis Shields, on March 15, 2014, in Tulsa, OK. They then relocated to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, where she became involved in Bible Study Fellowship and was asked to serve as a Discussion Group Leader. Blair and Travis attended Providence Church in Frisco, TX, and were active in small group ministries.
Blair delighted in crafting and decorating, brightening every room with her stylish touch and every hand-crafted card with her warmth and joy. She was known as a consummate hostess, effortlessly managing every detail of her guests’ comfort while making each feel uniquely and genuinely welcome in her home. Blair enjoyed playing games, as long as she thought she could win them; and in her opinion, if you weren’t cheating, you weren’t trying hard enough. She took immense joy in inventing songs and having spontaneous “Family Dance Parties”, unconcerned that her talents lay elsewhere. She loved pizza shamelessly and was even known to order from alternating restaurants to avoid the anticipated embarrassment of being known too well by the delivery drivers. Homemade Belgian Waffles and Cracker Barrell pancakes were tied for a close second. She cherished her husband and puppies and worked first and foremost to create for their family a loving, cheerful, and compulsively organized home. She loved God with all her heart and left a ragged hole in the lives of those who knew her that only He is big enough to fill.
Blair is survived by her adoring husband, Travis Shields, and their three cherished dogs (Winnie, Linlee, and Moxie); her father Tom Masching; sister Michelle Watts; parents-in-law Ric & Sheila Shields, sister-in-law Tara Shields; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and scores of friends who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her mother, Linda (Fishburn) Masching.
Blair’s body will be interred at the Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Joliet, IL where she will await The Blessed Hope, the Resurrection of the Saints, and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Visitation will be held at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, IL on Thursday, December 19, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2019 at the Families of Faith Church, 24466 Eames St in Channahon, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to the family to assist with final expenses. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com.
