Obituary of Arshula Joymae Washburn Larkin

Shula was born in Deer Park Washington on July 28, 1922. She grew up as an only child of a dairy farmer and a school teacher, Chester C. and Eva M. Washburn. Shula graduated from Eastern Washington College of Education and began her career as a school teacher in the 40s. In 1945, near the end of the war, she married her high school sweetheart James Larkin. Shula was an energetic and organized mom. She loved raising a big family and supporting her husband in his businesses. Mrs. Larkin taught English for many years in Bossier Parish schools including Airline High School, Plantation Park, Greenacres Jr. High, and Princeton Jr. High. If you were her student you did NOT chew gum, you did exactly what she asked and even if you thought she was strict, you knew she cared for you and you learned a lot. She was a devoted wife, a generous daughter a witty and wise Mom, Mother-in-law, Granshu, Nana, and Shushu. Age never took away her wit, politeness or thoughtfulness, she kept those qualities until the last day. She died peacefully at home on May 6, 2016. Shula was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, James Larkin. She is survived by her six children, Katheen (married to Jack Hough), Timothy (married to Evangeline Price Larkin), Patrick (married to Kathleen Kennedy Larkin), Colleen Larkin, Michael (married to Sirpa Nummela-Larkin), and Bridget (married to Scott Sinclair). She has 5 granchildren; Lauren Larkin, Blake Larkin (married to Ruth), Patrick Larkin (married to Kayleigh), Erin Sinclair, Spencer Sinclair (married to Annie), and James Larkin. Her great grandchildren are Lincoln Larkin, Audrey Anna Larkin, Juliet Larkin, and Abram Larkin. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Green Beret Foundation or the charity of your choice would honor her. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 17th at Boone Funeral Home on Airline Drive in Bossier City, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. There will not be a service.