Shirley McQueary

Shirley Gates McQueary, 84, Springfield, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, July 20, 2009, following a long illness. She was a beautiful lady with a big heart and lovely smile. Her family and friends will miss her dearly. Harriet Shirley Gates was born in Mayfield, Kentucky, on May 9, 1925. She was the daughter of Glen and Hazel Gates. Their family moved frequently because her father was a civil engineer and she was able to live in many of our nation's most beautiful states. Shirley met Bill McQueary, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, during their junior year at Springfield High School. They both were members of the band where she was a twirler and he played the clarinet. Shirley was a talented cellist in the orchestra and in 1943, they were both honor graduates of Springfield Senior High School. Shirley majored in music at the University of Iowa. On April 14, 1945, Shirley and Bill were married in First and Calvary Presbyterian Church. Bill had just joined the Navy to serve his nation and went to California for his Naval tour during World War II. After the war, they moved to St. Louis so Bill could complete his degree at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1949. At that time, she and Bill returned to Springfield where they raised their three children. Shirley was an accomplished classical musician and concert cellist who performed under the baton of the legendary Leonard Bernstein. She played in the Springfield Symphony for many years. She also taught cello at MSU and to many local children. Shirley served as PTA president and was actively involved in the school activities of her three children. She was very artistic and created unique bag lunches with sandwiches cut with cookie cutters and pictures drawn on her children's brown lunch bags. She served as the youth choir director at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Later as an elder at First and Calvary Presbyterian Church, Shirley was involved in Christian education. She was a member of SMMA, served as president of FU chapter of PEO and president of the Missouri Pharmacy Association Auxiliary. Shirley also loved to play cards and enjoyed playing bridge and cooking for her dear bridge club friends at her home. She was a dedicated volunteer and loved working on the Symphony Cookbooks and other major fundraisers. Her own recipes continue to be favorites in our community, as well as family favorites. Shirley's family will always treasure "Grammy's" original Christmas cookie recipe during the holidays as they decorate cookies with their children and grandchildren. She loved opera and ballet and especially enjoyed reading to her grandchildren and introducing them to the world of classical music. Shirley and Bill McQueary were avid sport fans and strong supporters of Missouri State Athletics. They enjoyed local athletic events at MSU for 55 years and traveled with the Bears and Lady Bears ball teams and the marching band on many exciting trips. Shirley learned to be a sports fan from Bill and he learned to appreciate music from Shirley. Grammy and Grandpa faithfully attended their grandchildren's many high school and college athletic games and musical activities. Shirley loved traveling all over the world with Bill and their dearest friends. On their last trip together, they visited Scotland and traveled to the ancient birthplace of the MacQuarrie Clan with their three children Pam, Karen and Rick. Shirley McQueary was a strong Christian woman and effortlessly shared her faith in God to her family and community. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and her kindness and generosity continues to inspire others. Shirley firmly believed in traditions and she loved to cook and entertain. Her amazing gourmet creations and warm family gatherings will always be cherished memories. Shirley was preceded in death by her little sister, Gwen Gates; her parents, Glen and Hazel Gates; and her loving husband, Bill McQueary, in 2006. Survivors include her three children and their spouses, Pam and Dr. Peter C. deVito, Sullivan's Island, S.C., Karen and Bill Krittenbrink and Rick and Mary McQueary of Springfield, Mo. Ten grandchildren and their spouses also survive her, Sean and Kim McQueary, Springfield, Dr. Tamatha and Mike Psenka, and Peter W. deVito, Sullivan's Island, S.C., Ryan and Sarah McQueary, Leawood, Kan., Billy and Alison McQueary, Springfield, Mo., Laurie and Andy Nicholson, Springfield, John and Karen McQueary, Springfield, Mo., Kristi and Dr. Eric Fulnecky, Springfield, Kerri and John Moran, Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and Kim and Dan Troger, Milford, Mich. Shirley McQueary is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Fred and Ramona McQueary and their children and families, Dr. Fred and Terri McQueary, Mark McQueary and David and Lisa McQueary. A private family graveside service will be held Saturday, July 25, 2009, in Hazelwood Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m., in First and Calvary Presbyterian Church, with the Reverend Greg Ellis officiating. Friends of Shirley McQueary are asked to join her family at the memorial service and at a church reception following the service. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 24, in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Southwest Missouri. Our family deeply appreciates and thanks Teresa McFarland and Kryshia Scherff as well as her other caregivers, for the loving care they gave to Shirley. We are also grateful to Hospice Compasses for their kind support.