Sally Shideler (Gill) Bass

Sally Louise Shideler (Gill) Bass passed of endometrial cancer on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2021 at the age of 84. Sally spent her final days at her Kansas City home of 60 years in relative comfort, surrounded by her family.

Sally was born on November 11, 1937, in Topeka, KS to John Winston Shideler and Elsie Violet Goodyear. She was raised in Topeka, an only child, with many aunts, uncles and cousins for entertainment and companionship. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1955 and subsequently moved to Kansas City to attend St. Luke’s School of Nursing, graduating in 1958. She married Robert Eugene Gill on July 12, 1958. They had two children together and divorced in 1968. Sally went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the 1970s. Her successful career at St. Luke’s Health System spanned 40 years, where she filled many roles, including staff nurse, head nurse, school of nursing faculty, Associate Director of the School of Nursing, Coordinator of Medical Staff Development and Coordinator of Physician Outreach Services. Sally was proud to be one of the founding members of MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) in the 1970s, serving as an on-call volunteer mental health RN for victims. Another highlight of her career was receiving the Kansas City Area Hospital Association’s Employee of the Year honor in 1981. Sally served on multiple Midwest Bioethics Center committees over the years. During her retirement, she enjoyed her role as a Teaching Patient at the University of Kansas Medical School.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sally was an amazing, loving, devoted and thoughtful mother, grandmother, partner, daughter, aunt, cousin, colleague, teacher and friend. She made time for all of those who were important to her. She delighted in spending time with her grandkids. Professionally, she was a dedicated mentor of women. She was a committed life-long learner and continually lived life to its fullest. Sally married Hollis Bass in August of 1990. She and Hollis enjoyed gardening, camping, traveling and bike rides on the Katy Trails. Sally was a life-long animal lover, a stained-glass artist and prolific knitter (her favorite was creating caps for cancer patients). She loved all that Kansas City has to offer, especially jazz, Chiefs and BBQ.

Sally is survived by her husband of 31 years, Hollis Bass, of the home. Other immediate family that survive include her children, daughter Angela (Charlie) Sunderland of Leawood, KS; son Brian Gill of Incline Village, NV; step-daughter Hadas Laurel (Tony) Becker of Crystal City, MO. Sally is also survived by her grandchildren, Paige Pelaccio of Lenexa, KS; Nicholas Pelaccio of New York, NY; Sasia (Stuart) Greenfield of King’s Lynn, England; Isaac, Samson and Leo Becker of Crystal City, MO. Sally also leaves behind a host of close extended family members whom she enjoyed immensely throughout her life.

Sally’s family would like to thank all the health care professionals who treated her and made her final weeks as comfortable as possible. Thank you to the University of Kansas Health System, Riordan Clinic, Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care, and Benefits of Home.

Sally wished to be cremated and the family will hold a private service at a future date. The family invites all of Sally’s extended family, friends, and former students and colleagues to visit https://www.forevermissed.com/sally-louiseshidelergill-bass to see photos of Sally’s life and leave messages for the family. We would love to hear your memories of Sally.