Shirley Jean Gockel

Gockel, Shirley Jean n (nee Hull) of Sunset Hills, Missouri, was born November 14, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri to Orrin and Grace (nee Walther) Hull and entered into rest Thursday, September 5, 2024 in Sunset Hills, Missouri at the age of 88 years. She is preceded in death by her husband, Harold Gockel; her parents, Orrin and Grace (nee Walther) Hull and her brother, Robert Hull. She is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Bob) Gockel-Blessing and Fred (Juanita) Gockel; along with numerous other extended family and friends. Shirley was a loving wife, devoted mother, and beloved sister. Her vibrant spirit touched everyone she encountered, and her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Shirley cherished every moment spent with her family, finding joy in the simple pleasures of life. She was a woman full of laughter and light, and her presence was a source of comfort and strength to her loved ones. An active and passionate individual, Shirley was an avid tennis player, bowler, and water aerobics enthusiast. Her love for travel took her across the globe, from domestic trips to international adventures, including a memorable bike journey through the beautiful landscapes of France. In addition to her love for exploration, Shirley was a gifted hobbyist. Her creative talents flourished through furniture refinishing, weaving, and home projects, where her remarkable attention to detail and endless patience shone through. One of her most accomplished feats was laying brick-like flooring in the all-season room added to the back of the house. The contractor was so amazed and impressed at her ability to complete this intricate task with such precision, he offered her a floor laying job right on the spot. Shirley was humbled by the offer but declined it saying, “once was enough.” Her passion for creative expression was one of the many ways she enriched the lives of those around her. In her earlier career, Shirley worked from home. For over 20 years, she worked for a marketing company that created mailing lists that were sold to other companies for mass mailing purposes. To accomplish this task, upwards of 1000 newspapers were delivered to the house each week from cities and towns all over the country; the subscriptions for each paper were paid for by Shirley’s employer. It was Shirley’s job to flip through each paper carefully and clipping out wedding and birth announcements that contained mailing addresses. Shirley took the clippings to the office once per week. The information submitted was then inputted into a rudimentary electronic system, creating the mailing lists. Once the electronic lists were created, Shirley would pick-up a paper copy of each list each week. Her job was to go through each entry on each list and using a large zip code book, added the appropriate zip code by hand in red ink. Completed lists were also returned to the office each week for the next steps in the process. Her dedication to her work was a testament to her strong work ethic and commitment. Even in retirement, Shirley continued to stay busy, taking on a part-time position at the box office of a local theater company, Stages, where she delighted in being part of the community and connecting with others. Her life was one of joy, creativity, and love, and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Shirley is survived by her loving family and many dear friends. Her memory will be cherished, and her spirit will continue to inspire. Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery, 10301 Big Bend Road, Kirkwood, Missouri 63122. Inurnment will immediately follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Kirkwood, Missouri. Family and friends can review and share stories, photos and condolences online at www.stlfuneral.com and follow details of this event and others in the community at www.facebook.com/stlchapelhill.

Shirley Jean Gockel

November 14, 1935 - September 5, 2024