Catherine Shirley Mendel

Shirley Mendel passed away on June 26, 2024, at age 95. She was born in Lowell, MA on January 9, 1929, to George and Mary Conley. Shirley graduated from Lowell High School and the Lowell General Hospital School of Nursing. She attended Boston University. She was a Registered Nurse having Served as a Navy Nurse during the Korean War from 1952- 1955. While in the Navy, she met and married her husband Dr. Robert W. Mendel, who was a Navy Dentist. The couple were married for 67 years and have three children. After traveling for many years as a Navy wife and upon her husband’s Navy retirement, they moved to Louisville KY where she remained for 51 years. Shirley returned to the nursing profession and for many years she worked for the KY Department of Human Resources at the Central Kentucky Treatment Center as a Registered Nurse. She retired in 1992. After retirement, Shirley and Bob traveled to many parts of the world. Shirley was quite the extrovert, loved meeting people and had many friends. She was President of the Compass Club of Louisville, an avid reader, enjoyed gardening, bridge, entertaining and socializing. She was a Kentucky Colonel, and an active member of Springdale Presbyterian church. She will be remembered for her love of her family, her radiant personality, endless youthful energy, financial prowess, and her savviness. Shirley was proceeded in death by her loving husband, Dr. Robert W. Mendel, and her parents. She is survived by her three children, daughter Joanne, son Gary, both of San Francisco CA, daughter Karen (husband Earl Pike) of Plano TX, five grandchildren-Garrett Sharp, Graham Sharp, both of Austin TX, Collin Sharp of Plano TX, Riley Mendel, Cole Mendel, both of Dublin CA, one great granddaughter, Brooklynn Sharp Harris of Plano TX, and one brother, Capt. George E. Conley US Public Health Corp of PA, of Willow Street PA. A Memorial Service will be held on August 24th at Springdale Presbyterian Church at 7812 Brownsboro Rd., Louisville, KY 40241. In lieu of flowers, an expression of sympathy may be sent to Springdale Presbyterian Church or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105

Catherine Shirley Mendel

January 9, 1929 - June 27, 2024