Shirley Ann Donley, 85, of Oklahoma City passed away on Monday, January 31, 2022, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on January 6, 1937, to John Killian and Velma (McClinton) Patterson. Shirley grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from Capitol Hill High School. She went on to attend college and started in the work force with the Oklahoma Press Association.
Shirley met her husband, John, in 1961, married and started a family. She became a military wife. Being part of the Coast Guard community, their adventures took them to many places on the east coast but they, eventually, landed back in Oklahoma City in 1976 when John retired.
Shirley and John were married for thirty-six years. They had a love for movies and entertainment. They were in bowling leagues together and loved to play bingo.
After her husband’s death, Shirley became a single-woman and stayed that way for twenty-five years. She was a determined, hard-worker. Shirley had a successful career; and as the Office Manger of St. Paul’s Catholic church in Del City, Oklahoma for twenty-eight years, she retired at the age of 75. She often joked, she outlived five priests.
Although St. Paul’s Catholic church was her place of employment, it was more so her place of community. Shirley enjoyed being part of all the events and happenings at the church. She, especially, loved being part of the dinner theatre productions - both producing and acting.
She was an avid reader. She was known to read two to three books a week – and there wasn’t a crossword puzzle she couldn’t handle. She loved to garden and never knew a plant she couldn’t grow. She had a way of doing things with no apologies. But, most importantly, she loved her family. She was happiest when being with them. Her love language was to give. She wanted to make sure you knew how much she cared about you by the things she gave.
As an independent woman, in the last few years, it was hard for her to give up her independence – this is where her feistiness and will to fight through and win against cancer came from. It also gave her strength to push through her final illnesses – she was strong, brave, and courageous. She is at peace now with her family who went before her.
Shirley Donley is survived by her daughter, Becky Carley and son-in-law, Todd Carley of Oklahoma City, granddaughter Stephanie Tachell and her husband, Michael Tachell of Choctaw, Ok, grandson Dustin Hey and his wife, Emily Hey of Mustang, Ok. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Lillian Hey, Tobias Tachell, and Lynnex Tachell. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Donley, parents John Killian and Velma Patterson, sister Virginia Predham, and brothers, Francis Killian, Marion Killian, Bobby Killian, and Glen Killian.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of Sunny Lane Funeral & Cemetery in Del City, Oklahoma.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunnylanefuneralhome.com for the Donley family.
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