Shirley Adele Garst McDonald

1936 - 2025

Shirley Adele Garst McDonald

August 17, 1936 - September 21, 2025

Shirley Adele Garst McDonald passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 21, 2025. She was born to Jerry and Grace Garst in Roanoke, Va., and was raised there.

She attended Andrew Lewis High School, where her outstanding talents in math and finance became apparent. After being told that a career in accounting would not be "proper" for a woman, because of the traveling involved, Shirley earned an associate's degree in business administration from National Business College; where, incidentally, she was elected a member of the Miss NBC Court. After graduating, Shirley became an invaluable legal secretary at Woods, Rogers, Muse, and Walker in Roanoke.

In 1962, after a lengthy courtship, she married Bob McDonald. When their daughters were born, she changed careers to homemaking. She was a talented seamstress, making not only the girls' clothes in their early years, but creating matching Barbie dresses from the scraps. She was an excellent cook, a love she passed on to her daughters. She was known for her elaborate entertaining, whether for friends and neighbors or in support of Bob's career.

During these early years of family life, they moved several times, and it was important to her to keep in touch with family – exchanging weekly handwritten letters with her parents and Bob's mother, as well as longer trips to Virginia to spend time together in person. It is during these visits that the closeness of family came into focus, as both Shirley and Bob's extended families would come together for picnics and local trips to area attractions. It is within this bond of love and family that her daughters were raised.

Though she never returned to a paid career, Shirley's talents in finance did not go to waste. Her abilities in Excel, for example, would have competed with anyone. Her skill with all things financial was so great that she only gave up doing their taxes (reluctantly!) in her 88th year.

Her technical expertise extended to photography. On the first family trip with her new digital camera (unlimited pictures!), she took so many pictures in Glacier National Park that the search for additional SD cards became an adventure of its own. Later, she created customized greeting cards which she loved to send to friends and family, giving her untold joy.

After Bob retired, they traveled quite a bit, especially within the United States, including long winter trips to the beach. Shirley also ventured on overseas trips with each of her girls. Whether sitting in awe of the Sistine Chapel with Diane or visiting Stonehenge with Brenda, Shirley truly enjoyed these adventures --- and took lots of pictures!

All of that was a long way from her simpler beginnings, growing up in a house in the country without running water or electricity for the first 10 years of her life. But that house was full of love and music, fed with homegrown food. They learned the importance of helping others, which led Shirley into her lifelong involvement in numerous charitable organizations, including Junior Service League in Kansas and Kindervelt for Cincinnati Children's Hospital, holding city-wide offices. Of special importance was her active member in the P.E.O. Sisterhood in both Ohio and Virginia.

Shirley was always active in whichever church they joined as they moved around the country. Using her beautiful alto voice in the choir, teaching Sunday school, and serving on mission committees are just a few examples. Her faith was very important to her; and she read her Bible every morning, taking comfort from its words.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Bob; her brother, Don, his wife, Frances; her brother-in-law Earl; Bob's brother, G.B., his wife, Mary Doug and daughter, Martha; and Bob's sister, Lillian.

She is survived by her devoted daughters, Diane McDonald of Lafayette, Colo. and Brenda McDonald of Roanoke; her sister, Wanda Atkins; niece, Karen; nephews, Gary and Mike, and their families; Don's children Libby, Jerry and Mary and their families; Martha's family: Erin Hachwi and her family; Bryan Moretz; and Perry Moretz; Becky Frame and her husband, Bub, and their daughter, Sarah.

Shirley's life was defined by the love she felt for others: family, friends near and far, later caretakers and of course Bob, Diane and Brenda.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday evening, September 26, 2025, at Oakey's North Chapel in Roanoke, Va. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Peters Creek Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Virginia; followed by interment at 1 p.m. at Birchlawn Cemetery in Pearisburg, Va.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Continuing Education scholarship fund at P.E.O. Chapter AE for Continuing Education Programs for Women, c/o Jo Dowdy Treasurer, 6115 Wertz Orchard Road, Roanoke, VA 24018; or to Rescue Mission Ministries, 402 4th Street, SE, Roanoke, VA 24013. Condolences may be shared with her family at www.Oakeys.com.

Oakey's Funeral Service - North Chapel

Roanoke, VA (540) 362-1237