Shirley Hennessy

Shirley Patricia Hennessy, 90, passed away on April 11th, 2013 at the Solvay House. Shirley was born on April 20th, 1922 in Melrose, Minnesota to Fred and Marguerite Mikel.
Shirley was raised in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She met and became engaged to the love of her
life, Morrie Hennessy, after a 6 week courtship. She and Morrie shared a lifetime of love for
almost 65 years, always IN love! She lost her sweet "Daddy" in 2007.
Shirley loved her family passionately and it was that love that gave her strength to live
another 5 A½ years without Morrie. In that time, she was able to celebrate weddings,
graduations, births and her 90th birthday.
She graced us all with her beauty, humor, presence, and style. She leaves those of us who
loved her, the joy and blessing of having a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister,
aunt and friend, who loved us always with her heart and soul. She will be so very missed.
Shirley was very content and at home her last 10 years at Primrose Retirement Community.
Along with Morrie, she was preceded in death by her beloved son, Stephen, and loving
grandson, Nathan.
She leaves behind five children including two daughters who lovingly cared for her at home:
Kathleen (Ellis) Mills and Patty (Darryl) Brehmer and Shirley's three sons: Michael (Debra)
Hennessy, David (Bonnie) Hennessy and-Mark (Mary B.) Hennessy.
Twelve grandchildren, Collin and Christian Brehmer, Stephen (Mary M.), Hennessy, Joseph
(Robin) Hennessy, Christopher (Melissa) Hennessy, Ryan (Brenda) Hennessy, Eric (Rhonda)
Hennessy, Paul (Emily) Hennessy, Elizabeth (Greg) Young, Thomas (Kelsey) Hennessy, Mark
(fiancAC.e' Whitney) Hennessy and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Shirley is also survived by family and friends: dear sister Marguerite Batson and brother,
Thomas (Shirley) Mikel; sisters-in-law Jan Mikel and Maxine Mikel; along with many loving
nieces and nephews and dear friend Betty Wilhelmi.
Shirley's family would like to sincerely thank the caring staff of both St. Luke's Hospice and
the Solvay House.
Visitation will be Monday from 5-7pm in the Dougherty Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Tuesday from 10am to the 11am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Star of the Sea, 325 E 3rd St. . Duluth. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to; The Duluth Honor Guard, c/o John Marshall 15 Riverside Dr. Duluth, MN 55808. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St. Duluth. (218) 727-3555.