Shirley Jean Mischal

Shirley Mischal Obituary 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 filledwith cousins, aunts, uncles and extended family. Her stepfather Clarence Berryplayed a major role in her upbringing. She was raised Catholic and was faithfulto her religion to the very end.Shirley attended L'Ouverture School from kindergarten through eighthgrade. She then enrolled in Vashon High School and graduated in 1951. Shirleyalways had dreams of attending college, so in the fall of 1951 she arrived onthe campus of Lincoln University located in Jefferson City, Missouri. While atLincoln, she was active in StageCrafters and appeared in leading roles for severalproductions. Shirley was also involved with a Summer Theater group, touringplays 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 shewas crowned Homecoming Queen. Shirley majored in Speech and Dramaticsand minored in health and physical education. She graduated from Lincoln in1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.Shirley arrived in Cleveland with a scholarship to Western ReserveUniversity. Shirley's scholarship program involved taking classes in drama andparticipating in plays and programs at Karamu House Theater. She worked in theChildren's Theater and was responsible for costumes, scenery and other props.Russell and Rowena Jeliffe, executors of Karamu, mentored Shirley during hertenure at Karamu. Later Shirley secured a teaching position with the ClevelandPublic School system as a physical education teacher. She taught at AddisonJr. High and John Hay High School. Her appointment as a special educationteacher at Sunbeam School for Crippled Children was her must challenging yetrewarding position. This lead to her earning her Master's in Special Education.Shirley later developed and managed the Cleveland Municipal School District'sMainstreaming program, which allowed physically handicapped students toattend regular school. She ended her career overseeing the school system'sHome 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 thisunion was born their only child Viveca Lynn. Shirley and her husband Millerenjoyed a very active and full life together. They enjoyed the camaraderie of thesocial groups they belonged to such as the Khayyams, Guys and Dolls Club, andthe WBWC (When Black Was Colored). Shirley formed friendships with theKhayyam Wives and the "Do Nothings".Shirley had been a member of St. Cecilia's church for 50 years. Sheactively participated on many committees including the Sunshine Committee.She spearheaded the restoration of the church restrooms, planted roses andshrubs to beautify the church grounds and parking lot, and volunteered at thehomeless shelter distributing food.Shirley loved to travel. From their trips to St. Louis to visit her mother, tripsto the Caribbean with friends, cruises, and her family's annual car trip to HiltonHead, which was very special to her. Shirley loved being by the water and couldbe 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 leavesto cherish her memories and celebrate her life a daughter, Viveca Kimble andher husband Edward; granddaughter, Miranda Kimble; two sister-in-laws; onebrother-in-law; a host of nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Visitation AUG 27. 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM St. Ann's Catholic Church 2175 Coventry Road Cleveland, OH, US, 44118 Memorial Service AUG 27. 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM St. Ann's Catholic Church 2175 Coventry Road Cleveland, OH, US, 44118 To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Jean Mischal, please visit our floral store. Read More

Shirley Jean Mischal

January 10, 1935 - August 23, 2011