Shirley Mae Geenens passed away on December 21, 2013 surrounded by family. Shirley is remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her legacy as a teacher will live through the hundreds of students in whom she invested during her life. She taught elementary-school-age students in Merriam, KS, Edinburg, TX, and Baldwin City, KS. Born Shirley Mae Collins on December 16, 1936 in Topeka, KS to Harry and Freda Collins, she was the first to attend college in her family. She and her husband, Ron, of 57 years, graduated from Baker University in 1958. Their interest in education spawned three generations of college graduates, many of whom attended Baker. She pre-deceases her husband, Ron, of Overland Park, KS, and her three children and their spouses; Dave and Terry Geenens of Atchison, KS; Doug and Terry Geenens of Kansas City, MO; and Ronda and Keith Gray of Mountainburg, AR. She also leaves loving grandchildren Lauren, Megan, Blaire, Aubrey, Hannah, Alex, Brooke, and Austin. Other living relatives include a sister-in-law and nieces and nephews living in the Topeka, KS area.

Celebration of Life

The family will host a come-as-you-are open house to celebrate Shirley's life on Sunday, December 29th, from noon to 2:00 pm at their home: 8628 Riley, Overland Park, KS 66212.

Contributions

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Shirley's name be sent to the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, Sigma Chapter, P.O. Box 31, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006.