Shirley A. Gosney
1935 - 2019
Obituary
Shirley A. Gosney, 84, died Tuesday
(Nov. 12, 2019) in Wichita. She was born June 18, 1935, to Fred and
Dora (Stonebreaker) Bay. She grew up on the family farm near Waverly.
Shirley had her first piano lesson at
age 9, and by age 13 she was playing the piano at church. This began
a lifelong love of music and service to the church. Later in life,
after moving to Newton, Shirley played piano and organ for the
Foursquare church for 30 years.
After high school, her music teacher
encouraged her to apply for college scholarships. She did and was
awarded enough that she was able to attend and graduate Washburn
University with a teaching degree in music.
During her time in Topeka attending
college, she worked a part-time job for the city. This is where she
met her husband, Claude, the father to her three children, Julie,
Kelly and Brian.
Her marriage to Claude saw them living
in Topeka, St. Louis and Arizona. After moving back to Kansas to be
near family with the children, Shirley dusted off her teaching
certificate and went to work.
Newton would be the next stop, where
Shirley taught elementary music for 22 years before she retired.
Shirley had loved music, reading and
crime drama shows. Family was important to Shirley and she enjoyed
visits with her siblings, family and friends.
She is survived by her daughters, Kelly
Wilkinson of Wichita and Julie McCutcheon of Shawnee; three brothers,
Roy, Bill and Chuck Bay; sister, Ronda Hamilton; five grandchildren;
and one great-grandchild.
Shirley is preceded in death by her
parents; and one son, Brian Gosney
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday
(Nov. 18, 2019) at Petersen Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Becky
Girard presiding. Visitation will be 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 17,
2019) at Petersen Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in the
Greenwood Cemetery, Newton.
Memorials are suggested to Harvey
County Compassionate Friends in care of Petersen Funeral Home.
1935 - 2019 (84 years)