Shirley Ann Lunny

Shirley Ann Lunny, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother of Chesterfield, Missouri and Towson, Maryland passed away peacefully on March 11, 2024 at the age of 84 after a brave battle with cancer.

Born on June 21, 1939 in Taunton, Massachusetts to Frank and Helen Zeiba, Shirley grew up in Taunton and relished her New England roots. Despite more than five decades living away from New England (in West County, Missouri), New England never left her. Shirley never lost her Massachusetts accent, nor her love of cherry stone clams and lobster, nor her love of vibrant New England autumns, nor her love of all things coastal and rustic. Shirley also retained her New England practicality and style. Her homes were always decorated with her hallmark warmth, charm and coziness and were filled with the mouth-watering aromas of her incredible, incomparable cooking.

Shirley graduated from The Newton-Wellesley School of Nursing and served as a nurse in private practice. It was during this time that she met her husband of 57 years, Joseph Lunny, through mutual friends. Joe’s career would take them to suburban St. Louis in the early 1960s, where they would raise their four children. Shirley was the ultimate sports mom – shuttling her boys to and from 5:00 a.m. hockey practices and cheering on her three sons and daughter at their numerous hockey, baseball, softball and field hockey games.

A devout Catholic, Shirley was the embodiment of strength, selflessness and faith. She instilled good manners and values in her children and never missed sending cards to her family for birthdays, anniversaries and special milestones.

Shirley made friends wherever she went. She was a wonderful listener and conversationalist. She was a voracious reader as well as a gourmet cook. She was known for her impeccable style and her loyalty to her family and friends. Shirley adored her ten grandchildren and took great joy in spending time with them. She always did her best to never miss an in-person or livestream dance recital, basketball, soccer, football, hockey or lacrosse game, while simultaneously watching them blossom into impressive young men and women. When she wasn’t enjoying her grandchildren’s activities, you could find her tuned in to her beloved St. Louis Blues hockey team. In more recent months, Shirley remained sharp with evening games of Hearts, Blank Space and Scrabble with her many friends at Pickersgill Retirement Community. She will be desperately missed by all.

Shirley is survived by her children Joseph Jr. (Christina), Jon (Sherri) and Suzanne Schoonmaker (Bill) and her ten grandchildren of whom she was very proud: Nikolas, Griffin, Hayley, Emma, Kylie, Tyler, Will, Luke, Hannah and Matthew.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents Frank and Helen Zeiba of Taunton, Massachusetts, her husband Joseph Lunny of Chesterfield, Missouri and her son William.

A funeral mass celebrating Shirley’s life will take place on Saturday March 23, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Church in Towson with visitation beginning at 9:15 a.m., followed by mass at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions in Shirley’s name to Missouri Baptist Healthcare Foundation, Attn: Cancer Center Fund, St. Louis, MO 63131 or through online giving: Missouri Baptist Cancer Fund or to the Humane Society of Missouri, Attn: Donations, 1201 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 or through online giving: STL Humane Society