Elizabeth Shay

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Shay, 86, of Kansas City, died at home on Friday, May 3, 2019. She was born July 1, 1932, in St. Paul, Kansas to the late Frank Charles and Hazel Maude (Frost) Steimel.

Betty was a strong woman of faith who liked to keep moving. In her younger years, she balanced a busy life, running her beauty shop in the home and raising her family. She was active in church and dedicated to serving others. She loved to travel, fish for crappie and bass, feed the birds, spend summer nights at Starlight, and find a good sale on anything (whether she needed it or not!) She never turned down popcorn, homemade ice cream, a freshly grown tomato, or the chance to spend time with family. She attended several lifetime’s worth of school plays, concerts, and graduations. She grieved the loss of her stamina and independence as health problems limited her activity. She adapted with an eternal optimism. When she could no longer see the largest letters on her Kindle, she switched to books on tape. When the cane didn’t keep her stable enough, she invested in a couple of walkers and a scooter.  When asked how she was on a particular day, her most common response was, “You know... I think I’m a little better than I was yesterday!”

Betty is survived by her 9 children: Michele (Rick) Miller, James (Linda) Shay, Patricia Silva, William (Rhonda) Shay, David (Mindy) Shay, Kenneth (Melissa) Shay, Dennis (Judy) Shay Mary Beth (David) Panek and Gina (Tom) Shay-Zapien; 21 grandchildren: Danielle, Stephanie, Jennifer, Michael, Katie, Sylvia, Monica, Sean, Sarah, Wyatt, Daniel, Anna, Megan, Patrick, D.J., Adam, Eli, Rebekah, Leah, Abram and Bennett. 13 great-grandchildren:  Olivia, Evan, Phillip, Aiden, Logan, Keegan, Roran, Jake, Lucas, Noah, Ezra, Madi and Meri and many nieces and nephews. Too numerous to name are all those who claimed no family connection to her, but referred to Betty as “mom”, “grandma”, “aunt”, or “dear friend”. Her heart was big enough for us all.

In addition to her parents, and 4 siblings; Betty is preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, James, her infant son, David, and granddaughters, Hannah Elizabeth Panek and Hadley Joy Smith.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 8, 2019 from 6-8 PM at Longview Funeral Home 12700 SE Raytown Road.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 3 PM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church 1800 MO-150, Lee's Summit, MO 64082.