Shirley McDonell, 78, Saint Joseph, MO, passed away at her home on the morning of December 14th, 2024. Born on June 3rd, 1946, at Old Methodist Hospital, to Bud & Pauline (McDowell) McDonell. Shirley enjoyed a life of love and happiness with her parents and siblings, Paula, Mary & Kelly. Eventually extending that love and happiness to her multiple neices and nephews and their families, Shirley showed each and everyone of them true love and acceptance. She was the type to bend over backwards to help out or give you the shirt right off of her back. All that knew Shirley agree that she had a heart of gold. Her love for her family knew no bounds.

Second to the love for her family would be her love for music. Shirley absolutely adored music and could often be heard singing, seen dancing or a combination of the two. It was not unheard of to walk past her home and hear her singing loudly along to whatever music she hd playing. That is if you could hear her over the music, because Shirley liked to crank her music loudly at times! Especially if she was partaking in a house cleaning session!

During the summertime, Shirley could sometimes be found sunbathing in her backyard with her nieces, other times alone with her music. On particualrly hot days, she might be found surprising her nephews, nieces and their neighborhood friends with grape Kool-Aid ice cubes she'd made for them to cool off with.

Fall and winter time would find Shirley decorating her home... attending family get togethers... or out shopping for Christmas. She loved going to the family Christmas parties hosted by her older sister, Paula, and youngest sister, Kelly. But, she especially loved the yearly private Christmas party reserved only for her, her sisters and their Mother, Pauline. These parties were usually held at either Paula's or Kelly's houses, and were centered around food, photos, games, laughter and conversation with good company. The best company.

For work, Shirley spent many years at Whitaker Cable. Until the day they closed their doors, in fact. From there, she went on to work at Bliss Manor as a house keeper. Or so she thought, she ultimately went on to learn and master many, many jobs and responsibilities there. As the years at Bliss passed, she would eventually find a partner there in the form of her niece, Mandy. Who worked with her until retirement.

She spent her retirement having wonderful and fun times with her family and pets. Leaving behind her kitties, Sancho, Bear and Gizmo.

Shirley was a one of a kind lady. Very forgiving. She was truly loved unconditionally and will be truly missed terribly.

Shirley was preceeded in death by her maternal Grandparents, Paul & Willie (Noland) McDowell; her paternal Grandparents Austin & Edith (Lemmerman) McDonell; her sisters and their spouses Paula & Buddy Gibson, Mary & Roger Lewin; and nephew, Chris Lewin.

Survivors include her sister Kelly Metcalf; her nieces & nephews, Shannon, Paula, Carrie, Lonnie, Eddie, Tim, Mandy & Robert. As well as various great nieces & nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, December 20, 2024 beginning at 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.   Funeral services will follow at 1:00 pm at the funeral home.  Interment will be in Sparta Cemetery, Faucett, MO.