Shirley Natalie Smithwick Mcconnell Obituary (1919

Shirley Natalie Smithwick McConnell August 15, 1919-June 22, 2013 Shirley McConnell, 93 years, 10 months, passed away of heart failure June 22, 2013 at Richland Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Eustis, Florida to Cora E. Griffin and Nathan H. Smithwick on August 15, 1919. Her family moved to Yakima, WA when she was 18 years old. She graduated from St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing in 1940. In 1941, she married Bill McConnell on December 3rd in Auburn, WA. In 1947 Shirley and Bill moved to Prosser. They were married 69 years before Bill passed away on April 2, 2011. Over the years Shirley worked as Registered Nurse in a variety of positions in Seattle and Prosser, including time as the school nurse for the Prosser School District. Always trying to learn and grow, Shirley went back to school at Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane in 1960. She graduated in 1962 and became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. She worked in every hospital from Yakima to the Tri Cities doing work she genuinely loved. Once Shirley retired, she and Bill joined the Air Stream Travel Club and spent many years traveling all over the US, Canada, and Mexico. They made many longtime friends during the travel years. Shirley had a wonderful sense of humor with a quick wit, sharp tongue, and a mind of her own. To all who knew her, she was a generous person with a sense of humor who always kept everyone laughing. Shirley was a member of the Central Christian Church where she sang and led the church choir. An accomplished pianist, she played regularly. She enjoyed skiing, reading, painting and crafts, doing crossword puzzles, gardening and cooking. She always made sure no one left her house hungry. She had a talent for making memories and traditions with her children and grandchildren. She loved her family above all else. All admired her strength and honesty. She will be truly missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, C.C. Andrews; brother, Don; sister, Jean; and infant children, Patricia and Patrick. She is survived by daughter, Barbara and husband, Howard Ham, Richland; daughter, Debbie Wilson, Boise, ID; son, Steve McConnell and wife, Sue, Richland; grandchildren, Robyn Roy, Katie McConnell and Patrick McConnell; great- grandchildren, Indreanna Turrentine and Kienon Klepper; and great-great-granddaughter, Neveah; step-grandchildren, Jennifer Wright (Kyle) and Ryan Helms (Jenn); step-great-grandchildren, Kyle Jackson, Kellan, Danica and Drew; sister, Flora Chezum and husband, Cliff of Olympia; brother-in-law, Fred McConnell of SeaTac; step-brother, Clyde Andrews of Othello; and many nieces and nephews. Shirley’s family wants all the caregivers and staff at Richland Rehab to know the gratitude we feel for the tender love and care they provided in the years she resided there. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at the Prosser United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Mel & Joyce Bowden Scholarship Fund at any Yakima Federal Savings and Loan.