Mary Catherine O'Donnell Shine

Mary Catherine O’Donnell Shine, age 93, of Kansas City, MO passed away on August 13, 2021 at the Village at Mission in Prairie Village, Kansas. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 19, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at the Redemptorist Fathers Catholic Church, 3333 Broadway, Kansas City Missouri, with visitation from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m., immediately preceding the Mass. Burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery to follow. Covid protocols will be followed. Masks are required.

Catherine was born on May 31, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri to parents, Martin Joseph O’Donnell, of County Roscommon, Ireland, and Rose Gorman O’Donnell, of Omaha, Nebraska, both of whom predeceased her. Catherine was very proud of her Irish heritage, and on June 21, 1952, married first-generation Irish American, Edward Thomas Shine, Jr., who also predeceased her on June 2, 2016. They enjoyed 64 blissful years together. She was predeceased by her brothers, Martin J., Jr., Manus P. (Joanne), and Hugh R. O’Donnell; sisters in law, Aileen E. Shine, Joanne O’Donnell; as well as grandson, Michael J. Reid. Survivors are: sister, Joan E, O’Donnell; daughters, Cathleen A. (John Reid), Maureen T., Mary M. “Maggie”, Patricia F. “Patti” DeWalt (Will Henrichson), and Bridget J. Gallaway (Scott); son, Edmund Timothy “Ned” Shine; niece, Patty Jurado (Ed); grandchildren: Emily Reid, Erin Sturm (Joe), Catherine DeWalt, Caroline Mendus, Victoria, Alex, and Lorelei Gallaway, Amelia Mendus, and Fred (Amy) Mendus; grand-niece, Bella Jurado; great granddaughters, Corinne “Coco” Sturm, Sophia Mendus, and great grandsons, Henry and Finnegan Mendus.

Catherine graduated from Visitation Grade School in 1941, St. Teresa’s Academy in 1945, and The College of St. Teresa (Avila) in 1949, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Thereafter, she was accepted into the Masters’ of Education Degree Program at Kansas City University (now UMKC), and taught 3rd grade at Kensington School in the K. C. School District for several years prior to raising her family. A member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish/Redemptorist Fathers Catholic Church, Catherine was active in the Redemptorist PTA, and all of her childrens’ school activities. In later years, she actively volunteered at the Redemptorist Center and Food Pantry, St. Paul’s Day School library, and at Benilde Hall, De la Salle Academy. Catherine also enjoyed quilting with her Redemptorist Quilting Friends. She was generous to a fault, and was a loving wife and mother who spared no effort in caring for Ed, and her children, for whom she was always present. Catherine had a keen intellect, and an impressive memory. She also had excellent taste in everything, especially fashion, furnishings, and antiques, and she loved nothing better than finding a good bargain. She also reveled in her daughters’ fabulous finds. Catherine will always fondly be remembered for her quick Irish wit, her delicious family dinners, her family stories, and her unconditional love and dedication to her family, of whom she always thought first, before ever considering herself. No one could ask for a better mother. We love you Mom with all our hearts, and miss you terribly already! We will see you in good time on the other side of the pearly gates!