O'NEAL, Shirley Catherine (McGrane) 1926-2005

ONEAL, MCGRANE

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 7/14/2014 at 22:45:43

[Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Wednesday, April 27, 2005]

Shirley Catherine ONeal was born on March 14, 1926, in Barnes City, Iowa, and passed away at home with her family in Redondo Beach, Calif., on April 9, 2005.

She was a daughter of Ethel and Linfred "Mac" McGrane, and the sister of Joe McGrane, Mary Winder, Lindy McGrane, Barbara Martin and Jim McGrane. Shirley was raised in Waterloo where she graduated from West High in 1944. She was employed, at various times, by Clutes Grocery, the Cedar Valley Co-op Association and John Deere. In October of 1947 she married James Casey in Waterloo. Her son Michael was born in 1948 and daughter Pamela in 1950. In August of 1953 while pregnant with her third child, Colleen, tragedy struck. Her husband died in an accident and she was left a widow with two small children and another on the way. The community of Waterloo banded together and provided her young family with a home in which to raise her children. She recovered from her grief and returned to work at John Deere to support her family.

While working at John Deere she met and married Robert ONeal in 1955. They moved to Emmetsburg, Iowa, in 1957 and in 1962 she gave birth to her daughter Margaret. Shortly thereafter the family moved to the Los Angeles area where she resided for the rest of her life. She became quite proficient at bowling, bookkeeping, hotel management, but not ever, under any circumstances, in any situation, driving on a freeway. She prided herself in providing a safe, homey environment for her children and their friends. Her children matured and have all become successful in their own way. Much of this can be tied to Shirley and her special way of relating to them and teaching through life experiences how to be strong, independent and loving. All have been touched by the love she felt for them, for her grandchildren and for those around her.

In spite of physical problems in the last few years, Shirley kept her sense of humor and a certain irreverence that has been passed on to her children and grandchildren. She was quick with a laugh and intensely interested in the lives of her family members. Her legacy rests with them - it resides in their faces, their spirit and the wonderful memories they retain of her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and by her brother, Jim McGrane.

Memorial services were held on April 13, 2005, at the White and Day Colonial Chapel in Redondo Beach, Calif. Donations in Shirleys memory can be made to the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280, Washington, DC 20090.