Shirley Mischal

Shirley Jean (White) Mischal was born on January 10, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the only child of Rudolph White and Vidia Mae Harris (Turner). Although an only child, Shirley grew up in a loving family filled with cousins, aunts, uncles and extended family. Her stepfather Clarence Berry played a major role in her upbringing. She was raised Catholic and was faithful to her religion to the very end. Shirley attended L'Ouverture School from kindergarten through eighth grade. She then enrolled in Vashon High School and graduated in 1951. Shirley always had dreams of attending college, so in the fall of 1951 she arrived on the campus of Lincoln University located in Jefferson City, Missouri. While at Lincoln, she was active in StageCrafters and appeared in leading roles for several productions. Shirley was also involved with a Summer Theater group, touring plays at historically Black college campuses. By her second year at Lincoln, she became interested in the organization known as Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She was later initiated into the Alpha Iota undergraduate chapter. In 1954 she was crowned Homecoming Queen. Shirley majored in Speech and Dramatics and minored in health and physical education. She graduated from Lincoln in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Shirley arrived in Cleveland with a scholarship to Western Reserve University. Shirley's scholarship program involved taking classes in drama and participating in plays and programs at Karamu House Theater. She worked in the Children's Theater and was responsible for costumes, scenery and other props. Russell and Rowena Jeliffe, executors of Karamu, mentored Shirley during her tenure at Karamu. Later Shirley secured a teaching position with the Cleveland Public School system as a physical education teacher. She taught at Addison Jr. High and John Hay High School. Her appointment as a special education teacher at Sunbeam School for Crippled Children was her must challenging yet rewarding position. This lead to her earning her Master's in Special Education. Shirley later developed and managed the Cleveland Municipal School District's Mainstreaming program, which allowed physically handicapped students to attend regular school. She ended her career overseeing the school system's Home Instruction Program. While living at the Phyllis Wheatley Association and working at Karamu, she met Miller Mischal and later married him on October 19, 1957. To this union was born their only child Viveca Lynn. Shirley and her husband Miller enjoyed a very active and full life together. They enjoyed the camaraderie of the social groups they belonged to such as the Khayyams, Guys and Dolls Club, and the WBWC (When Black Was Colored). Shirley formed friendships with the Khayyam Wives and the "Do Nothings". Shirley had been a member of St. Cecilia's church for 50 years. She actively participated on many committees including the Sunshine Committee. She spearheaded the restoration of the church restrooms, planted roses and shrubs to beautify the church grounds and parking lot, and volunteered at the homeless shelter distributing food. Shirley loved to travel. From their trips to St. Louis to visit her mother, trips to the Caribbean with friends, cruises, and her family's annual car trip to Hilton Head, which was very special to her. Shirley loved being by the water and could be found strolling along the beach in the early morning ready to begin a new day. Shirley departed this world on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. She leaves to cherish her memories and celebrate her life a daughter, Viveca Kimble and her husband Edward; granddaughter, Miranda Kimble; two sister-in-laws; one brother-in-law; a host of nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

Shirley Mischal

January 10, 1935 - August 23, 2011