Mary Helen Zuniga-Shanks

Mary Helen Zuniga-Shanks, 66 passed away on September 19, 2009 at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Mary Helen was born in Kansas City, Missouri on June 8, 1943, to Louise A. and Jose T. Zuniga, Sr. She worked as a Playboy Bunny at the Playboy Clubs of Kansas City and New York City in the 1960's. She then studied nursing and earned her Associate’s Degree at Penn Valley Community College and Bachelor’s Degree at University of Kansas. She worked at various hospitals and health facilities in the Kansas City area and taught nursing at Penn Valley Community College. Mary was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the early 1980s. Everyone knew of her courage and determination and she would not allow this disease to prevent her from doing anything she put her mind to.

She leaves her husband of 30 years, Thomas Shanks of Overland Park Kansas; two step-children, Lori Welty of Shawnee, Kansas and Scott Shanks of Overland Park, Kansas; six brothers and sisters, Jose Zuniga, Jr. and wife Ana, of Oceanside, California, Dolores Kowalczewski of Mission, Kansas; Catherine Findley and husband Dan of Olathe, Kansas, Paul V. Zuniga and wife Debbie of Roeland Park, Kansas, Robert C. Zuniga and wife Loretta of Lenexa, Kansas, and Michael J. Zuniga and wife Jackie of Lenexa, Kansas; and brother-in-law Robert Castaneda, of Olathe, Kansas. In addition she leaves many beloved, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, grandchildren, friends and extended family members. Besides her parents, Mary was predeceased by sisters, Rebecca Castaneda, Virginia Zuniga and Patricia Melsheimer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mid America Chapter of the National MS Society at www.nationalmssociety.org.

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation will be from 6-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, with a Rosary being recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Overland Park, Kansas, at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, September 24, 2009. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.