Shirley S. MacKinney

Heaven rings with shouts of joy receiving Shirley May Schaefer MacKinney into its realm. Shirley passed peacefully into the loving hands of her Savior on January 20, 2025, at the age of 94, maintaining her sense of humor and enduring faith in Christ to the end. 

She was born and raised in Mentor, Ohio, but lived most of her life in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband of 64 years, Dr. Archie A MacKinney Jr. Shirley lost her mother at the age of 15, adult responsibilities suddenly foisted upon her. But she found truth and hope in Jesus Christ, who she received as Lord and Savior. Shirley attended Wheaton College in Illinois (class of '52) where she met her husband Archie over a cat in Anatomy Lab. Her father, a construction contractor who taught her the value of hard work, wasn't sure about the bookworm Archie, and made Archie work for him, proving himself through hard labor before he would give his daughter's hand in marriage. She received a master's degree in nursing and served as a registered nurse, taking years off to raise her three kids. Shirley and Archie pursued foreign missions, but the Lord had another plan. Together they served God through their local church and their association with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Over the years, they counseled, mentored, and discipled countless young adults through church, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Friends of Foreign Students, and the Christian Medical Association. Shirley never saw a need she would not try to meet. The MacKinney household was widely known for receiving people in need from all over the world, providing housing and food, sometimes for months. The kids will tell you, it felt like a hostel. She gave, and gave, and sought nothing in return, and gave some more. She was a model of faith, known for tenacity, endurance, joy, and humor, not to mention regular fresh baked bread. She cherished God's Word and committed it to memory. In trying times, or loving admonishment of her children, she turned to the scriptures preserved in her heart. Shirley gently pushed her husband outside his comfort zone, purchasing land - a new house, a small farm, and a lake house - all of which greatly enriched the family with growing children. Shirley had a zest for life, and always wanted a Porsche convertible. She has much better now. Those who knew her well, know that she is laughing.

Shirley is survived by, her three children, Julie Holt (husband Melvin), Ted (wife Rachel) MacKinney, and John (wife Julie) MacKinney; six grandchildren, Catherine, Carolyn (husband Alex), Erin (husband Evan), Ben, Joel (wife Monika), and Seth (wife Ansley); two great-grandchildren, Nora and Evie (and a third on the way); and her brothers Mel Schaefer (wife Jeanette) and Dale (wife Arlene, deceased) Schaefer.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 1 PM at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91).

Following the service, visitation will take place at the funeral home from 2-4 PM.

Shirley will be buried next to her husband at Knollwood Cemetery.

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