Lawrence, Shirley D. 1940-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.

Born in Highland Park, Illinois, on Jan. 6, 1940, Shirley Dale Lawrence was the second of five children and a lifelong resident of St. Joseph. She spent nearly 50 years on North 25th Street, where she grew up, raised her sons, and later returned to live independently with strength and grace.

Shirley attended Central High School in St. Joseph, where she was a cheerleader and beloved by classmates, who voted her “Best Natured Girl” and “Girl with Personality Plus.” As a teenager, Sylvania of the Rockies, a summer camp in Colorado, sparked a lifelong love of the mountains. She began college at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She later transferred to the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas earning her bachelor’s degree. She went on to complete a master’s degree in Counseling from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri.

Her career as an elementary school counselor and teacher at Neely, Eugene Field, and Pickett schools in St. Joseph was more than a job, it was her calling. She poured her heart into her work, offering students a steady source of warmth, encouragement, and unconditional love. Shirley was a fierce advocate for those who needed it most, especially “her kids” in the St. Joseph Public Schools.

While she touched many lives professionally, Shirley’s deepest joy came from the relationships she nurtured with friends and family. She treasured lifelong friendships, many dating back to childhood and celebrated them through annual trips to the Lake of the Ozarks, festive holiday parties, playing mahjongg, painting, and daily walks with her beloved older sister and best friend, Leila. Though different in many ways, Shirley and Leila were inseparable, finding joy and strength in each other’s company.

Shirley’s heart belonged to her family. A devoted and playful mother of three sons, she also brought unmatched energy and imagination to her role as “Granny.” She made memories that will last generations, hosting Granny Camp, exploring museums, playing games, crafting, and always making time for ice cream. Her spirit was vibrant, youthful, and full of fun.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret Wyeth Marshall and James Fielding Dale; and her brothers, James Dale, Thomas Dale, and John Dale.

Shirley is survived by her three sons, Robert Scott Lawrence (Hirono), of Tokyo, Japan; Philip Archer Lawrence III (Pamela), of Woodbury, Minnesota; and James Dale Lawrence (Stephanie), of Kansas City, Missouri. She is also survived by her sister, Leila Dale Hicks; and sister-in-law, Roxanne Dale, both of St. Joseph.

She was the proud and loving Granny to seven grandchildren, Madeline (Alex), Hootie (Grace), Oscar, Ella, Maizie, Charlotte, and Go Tani; and great-grandmother to Sophia.

Shirley will be remembered for the joy she brought into every relationship, as a devoted mother and playful grandmother, a loyal and lifelong friend, and a compassionate counselor and teacher. Whether guiding a student, laughing with a friend, or playing with her grandchildren, she had a remarkable way of making people feel truly seen, deeply valued, and profoundly loved. Her light lives on in the many hearts she touched.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Second Harvest Community Food Bank’s BackPack Buddies program. To donate by check, please write “BackPack Buddies” on the memo line and mail it to: Second Harvest Community Food Bank 915 Douglas Street, St. Joseph, MO 64505.

Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10 a.m. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.

Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.