Mary Helen Zuniga-Shanks
Mary Helen Zuniga-Shanks, 66 passed away on September 19, 2009 at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Mary Helen was born in Kansas City, Missouri on June 8, 1943, to Louise A. and Jose T. Zuniga, Sr. She worked as a Playboy Bunny at the Playboy Clubs of Kansas City and New York City in the 1960’s. She then studied nursing and earned her Associate’s Degree at Penn Valley Community College and Bachelor’s Degree at University of Kansas. She worked at various hospitals and health facilities in the Kansas City area and taught nursing at Penn Valley Community College. Mary was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the early 1980s. Everyone knew of her courage and determination and she would not allow this disease to prevent her from doing anything she put her mind to.
She leaves her husband of 30 years, Thomas Shanks of Overland Park Kansas; two step-children, Lori Welty of Shawnee, Kansas and Scott Shanks of Overland Park, Kansas; six brothers and sisters, Jose Zuniga, Jr. and wife Ana, of Oceanside, California, Dolores Kowalczewski of Mission, Kansas; Catherine Findley and husband Dan of Olathe, Kansas, Paul V. Zuniga and wife Debbie of Roeland Park, Kansas, Robert C. Zuniga and wife Loretta of Lenexa, Kansas, and Michael J. Zuniga and wife Jackie of Lenexa, Kansas; and brother-in-law Robert Castaneda, of Olathe, Kansas. In addition she leaves many beloved, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, grandchildren, friends and extended family members. Besides her parents, Mary was predeceased by sisters, Rebecca Castaneda, Virginia Zuniga and Patricia Melsheimer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mid America Chapter of the National MS Society at www.nationalmssociety.org.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be from 6-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, with a Rosary being recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Overland Park, Kansas, at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, September 24, 2009. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.
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Mary I will miss you! Tom may your memories comfort you.
I will never forget Mary;s courage in the face of challenge. She is an inspiration to us all . Bonnie Cutler
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I loved Mary Helen’s laugh. She was an awesome person. She will be greatly missed.
It saddens me to hear of Mary’s passing. Many years ago we had a close realationship, but we parted. Each of us eventually finding someone we would love and cherish for the rest of our years on earth. I’m sure Mary made a good choice and was as happy as I am with my choice. Once again all ends well. I will always have a special place in my memory for the time we were together. Mary was a special person and I am sure, made a wonderful wife for her special person.
George Smiley
She is at peasce now. No more pain. She was an amazing lady. She was so funny and always had something funny to tell you. She will truley be missed.
Mary you will be greatly missed! WOW What a dear person you were. You shook your fist at the slightest hesitation. You were so brave and confident moving forward. Every time you left the “Y” you would say”one step at a time” and off you went! Head held high and spirited step moving along. You were such an inspiring Lady! Love you. Lea Wylie
Dear family ones,
What a wonderful experience it was to know this fine lady. She was an inspiration to everyone, especially to us. We met Mary when we joined the YMCA and attemded the water arthritis classes for years.
Often Mary would have done her exercises in the water and be way ahead of us and we would chat with her in the locker room. It was such an inspiration to see what a hard worker she was. It was trying to watch as she would walk up the sidewalk to her van and we always watched with care until she would get into her van.
She will be missed.
Sincerely,
Donna Walden and Gordon Inman
Mary had such zest , and fought for all things good in life. Her big heart and strong spirit is an inspiration to us all. Her light will keep on shining… she was phenomenal. Also, a great mentor in her nursing career. I will miss her sparkly eyes, her warm smile, and her laugh. My heart and prayers are with her entire family.
Mary McElvain