Shirley Elizabeth Soricelli

Shirley Elizabeth Soricelli, age 83, of Laurie, passed away on Thursday evening, August 23, 2007, at the Laurie Care Center. Shirley was born January 8, 1924, in Manchester, Connecticut, the daughter of Edward Fahey Jr. and Hazel Elizabeth Brown Fehey. She graduated from Manchester High School in 1941, but her plans to study art at the Rhode Island School of Design were interrupted by World War II. In 1944, Shirley married Russell Mac Smith of Columbia, Missouri, who was stationed in the Manchester area before being sent overseas to serve in World War II. Russell and Shirley had three children, Ronald Martin, Laura Marlene, and Linda Maureen. In Manchester, Shirley was a Cub Scout Den Mother and a member of the Manchester Junior Women’s Benefit Association. In 1955, the family relocated to Columbia. There, she was a founding member of the Broadway Christian Church and a member of it’s choir and volunteered her time to many organizations including the University Hospital where she was a Gray Lady and the American Cancer Society (ACS). She also was a Brownie and Girl Scout Troop Leader, and a member of the Mother Singers choral group, which entertained at local schools and the Wednesday Wives social organization. Shirley’s long association with ACS began while she was still living in Connecticut where she volunteered to collect donations during Cancer Awareness Month. After moving to Columbia, her activism grew from volunteer neighborhood chairperson, to district chairperson, to Columbia residential chairperson. After several years as a volunteer, she began working for ACS, at first part time from home and then, in 1968, full time out of the new Boone County office where she helped start the first “Reach to Recovery” and Breast Cancer Awareness programs. Shirley also was a frequent motivational speaker for ACS and organized special programs for the University of Missouri-Columbia Schools of Nursing and Medicine. After moving to Sunrise Beach, she volunteered as ACS Camden County education chairperson for two years and then as president of the unit. In 2001, after completing chemotherapy for her own cancer, Shirley was named honorary chairperson of the ACS Relay for Life event. Several years later, her cancer having recurred, she organized a cancer support group that meets regularly at West Lake Christian Church. In 1963, Shirley married Carmine Soricelli, and in 1979, they retired and built their dream home at the Lake of the Ozarks. Shirley continued her activism by joining the American Business Women’s Association, which honored her in 1985 as Woman of the Year. Shirley also enjoyed performing and, with Carmine, participated in Little Theater productions and entertained at the Hillbilly Fair and various local events and benefits. Shirley is a founding charter member of the West Lake Christian Church where she took leadership roles on many committees. She was involved in leadership of the Christian Women’s Fellowship and in December 2006, she was honored by CWF with a special commissioned stained glass angel, which now hangs in the church. Shirley is survived by her beloved husband Carmine Soricelli who survives at the Laurie Knolls; three children, Ron Smith and wife Linda of Tampa, Florida, Laura Muir and husband Andy of Kansas City, Missouri, and Linda Canestraight and husband Mark of Columbia, Missouri; her grandchildren, Alexis Petri of Kansas City, Ryan and Jennie Smith of Tampa, Florida, Jason and Ralitsa Smith of Cleveland, Ohio, Sarah and Josh Gilpin of Fort Worth, Texas, and Erica Canestraight of Columbia; her great-grandchildren, Jacob and Madelyn Smith of Tampa, Florida, and Dima Smith of Cleveland, Ohio. Shirley is also remembered by her dear cousin Marilyn LaChat of Enfield, Connecticut. The family extends its appreciation to Mary Fletcher of Missouri River Hospice and the staff at the Laurie Knolls and the Laurie Care Center. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 31, at the West Lake Christian Church in Laurie with Dr. Jim Sutherlin officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the West Lake Christian Church, the American Cancer Society, or the Missouri River Hospice. To send online condolences to the family visit www.kidwellgarber.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel.

Shirley Elizabeth Soricelli

August 23, 2007

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Shirley Elizabeth Soricelli

August 23, 2007

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