Funeral arrangements for Shirley Ann Ibarra have been set for Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Blue Springs, MO. Her loved ones will receive family and friends at the church from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. Catholic Rite of Committal is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Kansas City, KS, following a luncheon at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, Blue Springs, MO and Saint Luke’s Hospice House of Kansas City, MO. Arrangements have been entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs. Memories of Shirley and words of comfort for her family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com
Shirley Ann (Shannon) Ibarra, 85, of Blue Springs, MO, passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Saint Luke’s Hospice House, Kansas City, MO, surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born August 19, 1938 to Charles and Martha (Moore) Shannon in Bosworth, MO. Following World War II, her family moved to the Kansas City, KS area, where she primarily lived until her graduation from Argentine High School in 1956. She married Martin Ibarra in 1956, and to this union, they added five children. Following the birth of her last child, Shirley entered the workforce full-time, primarily working in hospitals, physician offices and the insurance industry. She retired from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City in 1999, but continued to work full-time, most recently retiring from Discover Vision in Blue Springs, MO in 2020. Shirley loved working, traveling, playing at the casinos, attending weekly Mass, and spending cherished time with friends and family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles (Pat) and Martha (Bobbie) Shannon, her brother & sister-in-law, Charles (Joe) and Wanda Shannon and by her granddaughter, Melissa Ibarra Perrin.
Shirley is survived by her five children and their spouses/partners: Martin Ibarra and Laura Ouderkirk of Independence, MO, Michael Ibarra of Saint Louis Park, MN, Mark and Lisa Ibarra of Lenexa, KS, Michelle and John Martin of Overland Park, KS and Marcia and Charles Bateman of Blue Springs, MO. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Crissy and C.J. Juarez, Amanda Ibarra, Amy and Steven VanVoorhis, Jordan Budd and fiancé Savana Stewart, Taylor Budd, Noah Martin and Dustin Martin, as well as ten precious great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind a brother and his wife, Larry and Judy Shannon of Wichita, KS as well as a niece, two nephews and their families.
The family greatly appreciates the care and treatment that Shirley received during her recent struggle with cancer from The University of Kansas Medical & Cancer Centers, as well as the love, kindness and compassion extended by the medical professionals, staff and volunteers at the Saint Luke’s Hospice House.
“Little Shirley” was a loving mother, who was not only was a strict disciplinarian when she had to be with five headstrong children, but also the type of mother who loved deeply and would do anything for her children. We will miss her playful, silly, sometimes sassy self. Shirley’s passing has left a hole in our lives that can never be filled. She will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Shirley will be missed by many. I for one misses her as if she were my own family. We have been good friends since 1970. We have shared good times and bad times together through out the years. She loved her children Marty Joe, Patrick, Michael, Shelly and Marsha with all the love a mother gives all her children. They were the light of her life. I am going to miss all the outings, the innocent little pranks we have pulled together , and having each other’s back if the need was ever needed. Shirley I have missed you during your illness as well as trying to be there for you if needed and I miss you even more now. What makes me feel better about your leaving us is that you are in Heaven with our Lord and HIs son Jesus. You are no longer suffering but have everlasting life in a beautiful place.
RIP Shirley. I’ll forever remember your nods and hello’s as you passed me every morning while I was pouring coffee at the 4th floor break area. You were one supervisor at the company that was so nice to me. You’ll be missed by many.
Shirley was my friend and sidekick working at the front desk. She was delightful. My heart goes out to her beloved family, she was deeply proud of you.
I will miss you Shirley and I will never forget you.
I am so sorry to hear this. I worked with Shirley at Discover Vision. She was always up beat and a spit fire. We always joked about our height. Since I was only a few inches taller than her. I loved all her stories. She always had a smile on her face.
I will truly miss her.
Condolences and prayes to her family.
It was a joy to work with Shirley at Discover Vision Center. She was so kind. She was so fun to work with!! We shared lots of smiles & laughs. Her beautiful smile lit up a room. Sending my sorrow and deepest sympathy .
Shirley was such a sweet lady, always had a smile on her face. I’m so glad I got a chance to work with her. My condolences to her family but wow.. how lucky to have had her in your lives. RIP Shirley ❤️
Shirley was such a fun person with a zest for life! She will be greatly missed! I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know her!
My condolences to her family and other loved ones.
To The Entire Family of Shirley:
I knew Shirley through her awesome granddaughter, Crissy, who is married to my nephew, C.J.Juarez. I met her numerous times over the years through family functions. She was such a beautiful person inside and outside. I always admired her work ethic especially her time of working! I will miss seeing her at your family functions.
My prayers and love are extended to all of you!
Love, Aunt Phyllis & Uncle David Hadden
(C.J. Aunt & Uncle)