Shirley J. McGonnell, 89, of 25 Mark Street, St. Marys, PA passed away Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Penn Highlands Elk Hospital.

She was born May 26, 1934 in Willimantic, CT to the late Carl and Margaret Anderson Warren.  She was a graduate of Indiana High School, Class of 1951 and continued her education graduating from Indiana State Teacher’s College Class, of 1955.  She started her teaching career in Port Allegany in 1955 and continued teaching for over 35 years.  With the majority spent teaching kindergarten and 2^nd grade at South St. Marys Street Elementary, she continued to volunteer there for many years after her retirement.

Shirley married the love of her life, the late James A. McGonnell on June 1, 1957 in St. Gabriel’s Church in Port Allegheny.  Jim and Shirley were married for over 62 years. Jim preceded her in death on June 17, 2019.

Shirley is survived by three daughters, Julie Kimbrell and her husband James of Hunker, PA, Joy Clontz and her husband Richard of Irwin, PA, and Jayne Kitko and her husband John of Flinton, PA; three sons, Jeffrey J. McGonnell and his wife Jayne of Davidson, NC, Joel W. McGonnell and his wife Catalina of Concord, NC, and James R. McGonnell and his wife Kate of St. Marys; 14 grandchildren: Alex Kimbrell, Amanda (Michael) Mellon, Rachel (Ashden) Clontz, Eric (Karina) Clontz, Mily, Selena, and Benjamin McGonnell, William (Jennifer) McGonnell, Anna and Meghan McGonnell; J.J., Jackson, and Joseph Kitko; five great-grandchildren: Caylyn, Lydia, Bennett, Leona, and Emerson; sisters: Nancy (William) Moore, Kathyanne (William) Dobda, Patricia (Mark) Jones, Carla (Vincent) Leta, Terry (Donald) Sarokon, and Melissa (Lou) McCoy; a brother, Edward (Rhonda) Warren; sister-in-law, Rita Meehan, brother-in-law, Earl Krueger, and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.. 

In addition to her husband and parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her step-mother, Helen Fair Warren; a sister Delores Taylor; and a grandson, Setlar Sykes.

Shirley loved her family, was a lifelong avid reader and enjoyed her Pittsburgh sports teams.  Jim and Shirley loved to travel and spend time visiting family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Monday, May 6, 2024 at 10:00AM.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 3:00PM until 6:00PM.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to Penn Highlands Community Nurses Hospice, 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA 15857 or to South St. Marys Street Elementary School PTO, 370 South St. Marys Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.

Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com