Shirley Ann Rosner

Overland Park, Kansas – Shirley Ann Rosner (Formerly Waller), born to Harold and Katherine Vaughan passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024 at the age of 88, surrounded by her daughter Robyn Fall (Terrance), son’s Steven Waller (Paula) and Melvin Rosner Jr. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Melvin I. Rosner, eldest daughter Susan K. Walker, son Steven Rosner and granddaughter Jennifer Rosner. She provided love, guidance and when necessary, a swift dose of reality to 13 grandchildren - Richard Rosner (Crystal), Kenneth Martin (Sarah), James Martin III (Bonnie), Misty Ritzel (Jeff), Kaitlyn Thomas (Jean), Kelsey Fall, Kendall Fall, David Waller, John Waller, Karis Pitt (Zavier), Mary Waller, Tammy Waller, Ellie Waller, 11 great grandchildren - Addysen Rosner, Braxton Rosner, Breah Rosner, Callie Rosner, Emily Ritzel, Alexis Martin, James “JB” Martin IV, Naomi Pitt, Austen Martin, Jaiden Martin, Arynne Martin and a great, great grandchild - Capri Nowell. Shirley was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1935 and grew up in the Saint Louis area with her brother, Harold Vaughan Jr. and sister, Judith Vaughan. She was a graduate of Ritenour High School in Breckenridge Hills, Missouri.

Shirley was a devoted single parent; raising her children during their adolescent years with love and many personal sacrifices. She supported and assisted her children in their many endeavors as they grew. Shirley had a rewarding career in the furniture business before reconnecting with a high school classmate (Mel Rosner) with whom Shirley eventually married in 1979 creating a wonderful blended “Brady Bunch” family of 5. Shirley relocated with Mel to Cheyenne, Wyoming where he resided.

In Cheyenne, Shirley found a new passion helping those in need of housing through her work as a manager with the Cheyenne Housing Authority before retiring to Florida with Mel.

Mel and Shirley loved to travel taking in sights such as Paris, Hawaii and a Denver Broncos football game in London. Shirley’s adventurous side almost landed her in the hospital while vacationing in Mazatlan, Mexico. Never one to turn down a new adventure, Shirley decided to tour Mazatlan by renting a motor scooter. Having never ridden a motor scooter; Shirley accidentally gave it too much throttle sending her through busy street traffic before she was able to find the brakes. That quickly ended her motor scooter riding adventure.

Shirley was selfless in her desire to ensure her family and friends were always connected. Every summer for nearly 20 years, Shirley organized and provided accommodations for her family, extended family and friends (sometimes 30+ people) to gather at Table Rock Lake in Branson, MO for days of boating, relaxing and bonding. Shirley’s devotion to family and friends created lifetime memories for all who attended.

Shirley never met a stranger quickly turning those she would meet into friends through her love of conversation and love of life. Many of these became life long friends. Shirley loved to be with her friends playing card games or bingo. She was an avid Scrabble player and welcomed all comers usually winning with her skill at maximizing double and triple word scores. Those who knew Shirley were aware of the enormous pride she had in her family, the thoughtful perspective she had on the world around her, and her kind, gentle nature. Shirley was a person of faith and a devout member of the Church of the Resurrection.

Our Mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother will be missed everyday as she was the “glue” that kept her and husband Mel’s legacy thriving. She dances with the Angels now and in that her family, extended family and friends take great comfort. Shirley's life will be celebrated with a memorial service at the Leawood campus of the Church of the Resurrection located at 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.