Shirley Ann Spencer O'Neil

Retired Shoreline grade school teacher. We honor and celebrate the life of Shirley O’Neil, age 84, of Shoreline, WA. She was born August 8, 1926 to Lee and Ruth Spencer in Williams, Iowa. She graduated from Grinnell College in 1948.

Moving to Seattle in 1948 she taught grade school in the Seattle School District for 7 ½ years at Horace Mann and West Woodland. In 1953, she married Lloyd O’Neil and raised their 3 children, Doug, Suzi and Cindy O’Neil, in Shoreline. Shirley and Lloyd were married for 30 years until his death in 1983. She taught in Shoreline School District 20 years at Briarcrest, Ridgecrest, Aldercrest, North City, Paramount Park and Parkwood Elementary Schools. After retiring she reconnected with her friend Bill Gasser. They have had a wonderful 20 year adventurous relationship with many trips to the East Coast, West Coast, Europe, Canada and throughout the United States. Some of her favorites: Annual Cabo Mexico trips, reading the Seattle Times from beginning to end, chicken served 100 different ways, Palisades Restaurant, The Pops, Trader Joes, and reading and writing notes to her friends.

Shirley has impacted and touched many lives with her inspirational attitude, positive outlook and her love of life. Her happy disposition was infectious as was her laughter. She took great joy in being with her family and grandkids. She will be deeply missed but her laugh will forever live in our hearts! She was a devoted mother, wife, friend, teacher, neighbor and grandmother.

She is survived by her son, Doug O’Neil of Shoreline, daughter Suzanne (O’Neil) Gerttula and son-in- law Steve Gerttula of Astoria, Oregon, daughter Cindy (O’Neil) Victor and son-in-law Kirk Victor of Kenmore, Wa., 6 Grandchildren, Tyler, Blake (Tiffany) and Alison Gerttula, Carson, Luke and Austin Victor. Nieces Laura and Jennifer Hannan, companion Bill Gasser of Seattle, and cousins in Iowa.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to American Cancer Society or Evergreen Hospice. Funeral Services will be held December 18, 2010 at 1pm at Acacia Memorial and Funeral Home, 14951 Bothell Way N.E. Seattle, WA 98155.