Madonna Ann Oliver Shircliff, age 70, of Cloverport, KY, died March 7th, 2018 amongst family at Baptist East Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. She fought a two and a half year battle with cancer and finally surrendered to an all too brief fight with Plasma Cell Leukemia.
Madonna was born July 11th, 1947 to Sue and Clarence Oliver in Poplar Planes, Kentucky. She is survived by her husband, Chuck Shircliff; children, Millicent Larson, Amber Shircliff, Ian Shircliff, and Charles Shircliff Jr; grandchildren, Poni, James, and Susanna; Sister, Jenny Oliver Ison; nieces, Heather, Melissa, Misha, and Michele; and nephew, Josh. She is preceded in death by her parents and her grandson, Charles III.
Madonna had happy memories of childhood in Poplar Planes in the care of her devoted grandparents, later moving to the nearby town of Flemingsburg with her mother and father. Madonna attended Hillsboro Elementary school, Fleming County Middle school and Fleming County High School. Classmates fondly recall her radiant beauty, sweetness and love of life. She went on to study Fashion Merchandising at Morehead State University, receiving a degree in Textiles.
After college, Madonna traveled with her first husband, Charles Edward “Eddie” Straub (deceased) and their daughter Millicent to live in many places in the southern United States and even to Bitburg, Germany, while Eddie served in the United States Air Force. When her marriage ended, Madonna eventually moved to Louisville, where she found a partner in her beloved Chuck and a life that flourished with many blessings.
Donna enjoyed a successful career with the Kentucky State Government in social services. In her work with agencies like Seven Counties and Child Protective Services she affected positive change in the lives of numerous families and children. Madonna showed exceptional commitment to her clients over the years. She kept in touch with many of the children once in her care well into their adult lives. While proudly working in her community, Donna was also a steadfast mother and wife. She ran a household, cooked wholesome meals, soothed countless tears, kept a lovely home and somehow found time to help with book reports, clean up science projects, sew Halloween costumes and help grow family businesses. She was a mother who never tired, who worried constantly and was always there for her babies. She was a wife who loved unconditionally with passion, faith and forgiveness.
Upon retirement, Madonna left her residence in Louisville and built her dream home with Chuck on 100 acres of wilderness and beauty at Tar Springs, the family farm in Breckenridge County, Kentucky. She lived out her last years there, until cancer proved to be fatal.
Donna was at her best when in the service of others. She loved God, the mountains, antiquing, nice cars, ice cream and her grandbabies. She was quirky, witty, humble, thoughtful and warm. She was regal and carried herself with poise, beauty and strength.
Though Madonna lived a full life, she was truly taken too soon. Her family pines over the sudden loss of a pillar of love in their lives. Madonna Ann, Donna, Mom, Momma, Maddie, you will be dearly missed and forever remembered. We love you.
Memorial contributions in memory of Madonna can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Memorial Service will take place
Friday, March 16th, 2018 at
The Church of Epiphany,
914 Old Harrods Creek Rd, Louisville, KY 40223
Funeral Mass at 9:30am
Remembrance Celebration to follow at 10:45am
*Lunch will be generously provided by church volunteers and the family.
