Shirley Jean Begley

Shirley was born in 1932, in Missouri, to Marie and Edward. She attended several Catholic grade schools, but spoke most fondly of Holy Trinity School and parish, and especially her 7th and 8th grade teacher, Sister Vigil. She attended Catherine Labouré High School and thoroughly enjoyed her time there with her friends and appreciated the excellent education offered by the Daughters of Charity.

After high school, Mom worked at Endicott Johnson Shoes as the timecard girl and then as a bookkeeper. She then worked for Bussmann Fuse as a 3rd floor errand girl. Eventually, she was hired by Hughes Aircraft and took the opportunity to relocate to Play del Ray, California, for a six-month stint. She enjoyed California tremendously, but missed her hometown and was happy to return.

Shirley married Francis Begley on June 3, 1961, and had two children in short order, Alison and John. In 1970, the family moved to Kansas to pursue a career opportunity with the newly developed Department of Housing and Urban Development. Frank and Shirley were advised to locate to the Curé of Ars parish in Leawood, and spent the rest of their adult lives in this area.

Mom loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, her dogs, cooking, estate sales, and bridge. Shirley liked to rescue animals and once rescued an abandoned robin and raised it to adulthood. She named it Petey and claimed it stayed close to the house and would do fly overs. She learned how to play bridge at the old Leawood Country Club and played in several bridge groups for over 40 years. Most of all, Shirley enjoyed attending every one of the grandchildren’s games, concerts, school events, and grandparent days at Curé of Ars grade school. She especially liked the CYO basketball games and would drive through any sort of winter weather to get to a game.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Marie and Edward, her husband, Frank, and her brother, Bill. She is survived by her children, Alison and John, her son-in-law, Sam, her grandchildren, Rachele (Levi), Patrick (Lauren), Nicholas, John (Bella), Matthew, Ryan, and Katherine, and great-grandchildren, Jackie, Dominic, Alena, Luca, and Charles.

We wish to extend our appreciation to all of our family and friends for their prayers and support during this time. We especially would like to mention Mom’s caregivers, Sarah, Aaryn, and Carmen, whose excellent care made it possible for Shirley to stay in her own home, as she wished. We also would like to commend the Leawood Fire Department, EMTs, and police, who kindly provided emergency assistance on many occasions.

Services for Shirley will be held on Friday, September 12, at Curé of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 am. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am. Shirley will be laid to rest at 2:00 pm in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 8300 Quivira Road, Lenexa, Kansas. Memorial contributions in Shirley's name may be made to the Curé of Ars Building Fund.