Shirley A. Esposito

Shirley Esposito, 75, of McDonald, PA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 20, 2025, with her daughter Amy by her side. Family and friends filled her final week with love, visiting and staying overnight. Born on October 26, 1949, in Pittsburgh, PA, Shirley grew up in the South Side neighborhood with her mother Theresa, grandmother Nina (Marie), and later her adoptive father Lloyd Deer, alongside sisters Terri (Theresa) and Lynn (Violet) in the Southside Slopes and Knoxville neighborhoods.
Shirley earned a Master's degree in Education from California University of Pennsylvania. Her teaching career began in 1971 at Edison-Local School District in Hammondsville, OH, until 1973. That summer, she rekindled her romance with high school sweetheart Edward Esposito, and they married on September 15, 1973, at Knoxville United Church. Shirley paused her career to raise her children, Christopher (born 1974) and Amy (born 1976), while working at Pittsburgh daycare centers. In 1979, she joined the Pittsburgh Diocese of Catholic Schools, coordinating the kindergarten program at St. Matthew's Prince of Peace parish until 1987. She taught at St. Basil's Parish in Carrick from 1987 to 1997 and again in 2003, concluding her career at St. Mary's in McKees Rocks. Shirley's dedication touched countless lives, instilling values of hard work, responsibility, and organization in her students, many of whom became educators. She earned accolades like the Golden Apple Award and Gift of Time Tribute.
A devoted grandmother, Shirley cherished her four grandchildren-Angellina and Vladimir (Amy's children) and Megan and Lainey (Christopher's children) -spending cherished moments teaching the girls songs, shapes, numbers, and letters. She and Angellina shared a very special relationship. After moving to McDonald, PA, she served as a Sunday school teacher at McDonald Presbyterian and caregiver for Julie Hanczar. Shirley lived out Jesus' ministry, selflessly loving others and asking for little in return.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Edward Esposito (McDonald, formerly Carrick); son, Christopher (Stephanie) Esposito (North Fayette); daughter, Amy Esposito (Carrick); and sisters, Terri (Jim) Bruder and Lynn Morgan; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Friends and family will be received on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 1-5 and 6-8 pm at Thomas-Little Funeral Service, Inc. 314 W. Lincoln Ave., McDonald (724-926-2800). A Service will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 11:30 am in the funeral home. Interment will follow at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
Shirley's legacy of love, faith, and education will live on in all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Jaime or Cliff Hughes for their daughter, who is battling childhood cancer. Donations may be mailed to the funeral home.