Shirley A. MacKenzie

February 5, 1935 — February 13, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Shirley A. MacKenzie, 91, of Lake Mary, Florida, on February 13, 2026. She passed peacefully at a small care center with a hospice nurse present. Her husband, Keith, her sons Mark and Don, and Don's wife, Lisa, were able to say their goodbyes just hours before her passing.

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Maria MacKenzie Postlethwait, who passed in 2009. Despite living a thousand miles apart, Shirley remained at Maria's bedside, offering unwavering love and support during much of Maria's brief four-month illness. Shirley's devotion to Maria was a testament to the depth of her love and the strength of their bond—one that will forever be cherished by all who knew them.

Born Shirley A. Kane on February 5, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Albert C. Kane and Florence M. (Spidel) Kane. She benefited from a large family, with plenty of older siblings who showed her what true fun was—and, before long, what true work was, too. Those were work-first, play-later times in the shadow of the Great Depression and through the World War II years, and Shirley learned early on the value of hard work, family, and community.

She went on to graduate from Biglerville High School in Biglerville, Pennsylvania, and later worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania processing pension calculations for teachers. It was there that she met her husband, Keith, an auditor who reviewed their calculations. Marriage soon followed, and a hop, skip, and a move (or two) later found Shirley and the growing family in the Chicago suburb of Carpentersville, Illinois (known to many as C'Ville)—where the neighbors were friendly and the good times were plentiful.

It was in C'Ville where the kids grew up, friendships flourished, and daily life was filled with the kind of steady, welcoming community Shirley valued so deeply.

Work never took a back seat for Shirley in C'Ville, either. She eventually became a nurse's aide at Sherman Hospital, where the demanding physical work—often lifting much larger patients—took its toll on her back, leading to an early retirement and leaving her with chronic back pain that stayed with her for years.

Shirley truly adored her family, both near and far. True to her roots, Shirley's love wasn't about loudly proclaiming it; it was found in the quiet ways she took care of the people she cherished.

From coffee klatching, playing bingo, and going garage sailing with the ladies of Windsor Circle during the "Wonder Years" of the 1960s, 70s, and early 80s in C'Ville, to doing those very same things in sunny Florida in the years that followed, she knew what she enjoyed—and she enjoyed it fully.

But above all, Shirley loved staying connected to her family in person, no matter the distance. That meant countless summer trips to Pennsylvania to see many of her siblings and their families, trips to California to visit her sister Dolores "Dory" Cooper, and trips to North Carolina to see her sister Mary Grace Williams. Seeing Maria, Rich, and the kids became something she looked forward to as well—nearly every year—whether in Illinois or in Florida. And when her sons Mark, Don, and Joe moved to Florida shortly after she did, it meant not only family nearby, but also free labor whenever it was time to organize yet another garage sale and "recycle" her treasures.

Shirley is survived by her beloved husband, Keith MacKenzie; sons, Joseph MacKenzie and his wife Sharon, and their daughters Monica, Angela, and Mary Beth; Mark MacKenzie; and Don MacKenzie and his wife Lisa.

She is also survived by her son-in-law, Rich Postlethwait, who remained a devoted presence in her life after Maria's passing, and by Rich and Maria's children, John, Kelly, and Emily.

Shirley also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws who were dear to her heart. Shirley was preceded in death by her siblings Albert "Junior" Kane, John Kane, Mary Grace Williams, Dolores "Dory" Cooper, Vivian "Bibby" Walter, Elizabeth "Betty" Garner, James "Henry" Kane, Florence "Flossie" Baker, Rosalie "Rosie" Kane, and Nellie Heller.

She was also preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Esther Kane (wife of James), who preceded her in death in early 2025. Shirley was extremely happy when James and Esther and their family moved from Maryland to the Orlando area, and soon there were cookouts, games of rummy and dominoes, and plenty of smiles and laughter.

She is survived by her siblings Ellen Doll and Michael "Mike" Kane and his wife, Pat.

A celebration of life dinner will be held at a later date. Details are to be determined and will be shared once plans are finalized.

If you would like to be notified when arrangements are announced, please contact Mark MacKenzie.

Email: [email protected] | Phone: (407) 455-2364

The family expresses their sincere gratitude to the hospice team—especially Latoya—as well as the doctors, social workers, and chaplains for their compassion and support.