Shirley Mae O’Neil, your life was a blessing, your memory was a treasure, and you are loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure. She departed her life on Jan. 31, 2018 at 3:45 p.m. at her home.

She is preceded in death by her mother Marion O’Neil and father George O’Neil, a brother Kenneth O’Neil, a sister Eleanor Cheney and her best friend Dr. Mary A. Heintz, who she loved dearly.

Shirley graduated from Dover New Hampshire on June 21, 1945. She taught in Maine, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Michigan and showed really good sense by coming to Virginia and completing her final 22 years at Longwood University. She served as chair from 1967-1981 of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Dept. and served on many professional organizations.

She loved her cigarettes, coffee and her dogs often saying “I’ve been smoking since I was 15 years old, why stop now I’m too young to die”.

She loved playing golf, eating at Merks with family and friends, especially with her Aids, and watching her New England Patriots. She loved going to York Beach, Main, It was all she talked about.

Shirley leaves many who will cherish, love and miss her, son Kevin Cheney (Ronda Levin), of Texas, God daughter Victoria Rose, of Florida, niece Joann Cheney of New Hampshire, Mary Walsh of New Mexico, grandson Glen Cheney (Young Jae) of Texas, nephew Alan Cheney of New Hampshire numerous nieces and nephews, her adopted family Pamela and Greg of West Virginia, George and Cindy of California and Patsy of Delaware. Her devoted friends Bill and Angie Frank, Betty Bowman, Terry Swan, and Marie Flowers. Shirley had devoted and loving care givers who she loved as her own family; Tracey Fowlkes “her best friend”, Charisma Fowlkes, Sandra Fowlkes, Ulakendra Early, Mary Rice, Tiaisa Hicks, Antoinette Hatcher, Dominque Fuller, Wanda Walker, “Bella” Fowlkes,” her dog” as she would say.

“I can no longer see you with my eyes, touch you with my hands, but I will feel you in my heart forever.” Your aides.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018 at 11 a.m. in St. Teresa’s Catholic Church with interment to follow in Trinity Memorial Gardens. Family received friends Feb. 6, 2018 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Puckett Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Longwood Health and Physical Education Dept., c/o Longwood Alumni Office 201 High St, Farmville, VA 23901.

Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family. www. puckettfh.com.