THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL
Daytona Beach, Florida
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Shirley Amelia Schaefer Rendell
06/11/1926 - 05/02/2018
Shirley Amelia Schaefer Rendell, age 91, formerly of Palm Coast, FL, was living in Lakewood, WA when she received her angel wings; called to join the Lord's choir as lead soprano on May 2, 2018. She died of natural causes at home while sleeping, surrounded by family and caregivers. Even in a time of illness, her hair was neatly coiffed, lipstick applied, and her manicure and pedicure were flawless.
She was born June 11, 1926 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Frank and Margaret Schaefer, and had one sister, Gloria. They called each other "big stuff" and "little stuff".
August 29, 1959, she married the love of her life, Stanley Rendell. He swept her off her feet by proposing the night the northern lights flashed across the Wisconsin sky, which she took as a sign from the heavens to say "Yes!".
She attended Music College, and worked as a professional singer, traveling across the USA and Canada in a group called "The Diplomats" which had the honor of playing for President Eisenhower. Later she worked as an executive assistant, mom, homemaker, and financially savvy vice-president of a guitar string manufacturing firm. She enjoyed singing in the church choir, serving on the board at Palm Coast Arts Foundation, being a member of PEO, Frank Sinatra music, watching Tom Selleck on TV, interior decorating, entertaining – oh my how she loved planning for company and being the perfect hostess; travel, and fine dining at restaurants that had the good sense to use placemats. Shirley was glamorous at all times, and wouldn't leave the house for a quick errand without perfect hair, makeup, and lovely outfit with coordinating shoes, handbag and accessories.
She and Stan lived in Chicago, IL, Palatine, IL, Kalamazoo, MI, Clearwater, FL, and then in Palm Coast, FL.
She is survived by her daughter Nora and her husband Mark Hennecken, her step-son Mills and his wife Betty Rendell, her step-daughter Susan and her husband Don O'Connell, and her nephew Richard Anderson.
She had the great joy of having nine perfect grandchildren: Victoria Kovacs, Brad Rendell, Leigh Stevenson, Jennifer Gentzkow, Karen Garvey, Bridget O'Connell, Patrick O'Connell, John O'Connell and Kathleen Cunningham.
She also had 15 great-grandchildren who she adored: Brittany, Mills and Austin Rendell, Chelsea and Lauren Stevenson, Taylor, Charlie and Lilly Gentzkow, Peter, Dylan, Patrick, Sean and Quinn Garvey, Kevin and Regan O'Connell.
She is predeceased by her husband Stan Rendell (who was always in a hurry to get going), her step-daughter Pamela Rendell, and her sister Gloria Anderson.
She loved dogs and only knew how to spoil them, especially her beagles: Saphira and Arnie Palmer Beagle, and her German shepherd, Rex. Shirley would tell you how fortunate she was in life to be surrounded by dozens of great friends over the decades who loved and cared for her, especially Karen Eaton and Mike and Maureen Gergely.
Services will be Saturday, June 2 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 4600 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast, FL. Visitation including a movie of her life in photos is 11:00, mass at 12:00, followed by interment at the church columbarium, which she referred to as her and Dad's "apartment".
Shirley believed in serving God, family and friends, being grateful for what you have, generosity to others, good manners – especially when it comes to writing thank you notes, focusing on the positive, treating family like company and company like family, and most of all living life elegantly and with joy; which meant frequently using the good china, crystal and silver, along with charger plates and cloth napkins. She loved parties, and would want everyone in her life to not have sorrow, but to pour a glass of Cupcake Prosecco into a crystal champagne flute, toast to Shirley, and celebrate the many happy memories of smiles shared, songs sung, and fun times had.
