Shirley Marie Leinweber

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Shirley Marie Leinweber (nee O’Brien) on January 8, 2024 due to complications from a broken hip and Covid. At the time of her passing, she was 96 years old.

Shirley was born and reared in Warwick, New York, where she married the love of her life, Leon Leinweber in 1947. After a few moves, in 1960, she and her husband Leon settled in Exton, Pennsylvania. While in Pennsylvania, Shirley enjoyed work as a school bus driver, with many of her passengers staying in contact for the remainder of her life. In 1984, retirement took she and her husband to Northport, Florida where they made many lasting friendships and enjoyed new adventures together. The year 2006 took Shirley and Leon on their final relocation, when they moved to Tucson, Arizona, and resided there until their deaths.

For the past 12 years, Shirley lived with her son Thomas Leinweber, her daughter-in-law Cheri and her grandson Michael. She is also survived by her grandson Jonathan Wallace and his wife Vanessa of Florida, her grandson Brian Leto and his wife Lisa of Pennsylvania, granddaughter Shala Wright of Texas, and greatgrandchildren Andrew and Emily Wallace of Pennsylvania and Charlotte Wallace of Florida. Other family members she left behind include nieces and nephews, along with their families, who are scattered throughout the United States and also her son-in-law, Richard Youngren who resides in Sweetwater, Tennessee.

Sadly, Shirley having had lived to be 96 years old has meant that far too many loved ones and friends have passed before her. Leon, her beloved husband of almost 60 years, passed in 2006 and her daughter Merry Ann departed in 2021. She was also predeceased by her father Edward, mother Beatrice, brother Edward, older sister Kathleen and younger sister Beatrice. Other loved ones who have preceded Shirley in death were her sister-in-law Catherine and brother-in-law Max.

Shirley was always the life of the party and enjoyed her time with others to the utmost. She had a quick wit and an easy laugh that she shared with everyone she met. She was a talented painter in watercolor, with many of her paintings being used to raise funds for worthy causes. Shirley loved acting in local plays and at fundraising events that benefitted charities such as the Shriners Hospitals.

A memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that any memorial contributions made in Shirley’s honor be directed to St. Vincent de Paul.