Patricia Shell

Patricia Ann Shell, 77, of Bethany, Oklahoma, died after a short illness on Saturday, July 11, 2009. Pat was an only child who was born on February 17, 1932 to Ernest and Thelma Todd. She was married on May 8, 1953 to Donald Shell. Patricia was a homemaker, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Pat is survived by her daughter, Cindy Thompson and her husband Jock of Nixa, Missouri; son, Steve Shell of the home; grandchildren Robyn Hilger and her husband David of Norman, Oklahoma; Amanda Templeton and her husband Troy of Noble, Oklahoma; and Todd Srejma and his fiancee Coralie Bowen of Branson, Missouri. She is also survived by her great-grandsons Henry Coffman and Carson Srejma. Pat was preceded in death by her father in March of 1984, her husband in December of 1996; and her mother in October of 2000.  Pat was known as "Mimi" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was supportive, encouraging, loving, and kind and always very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mimi was the kind of grandmother who caught toads for a granddaughter who loved them, even though she herself was afraid of them. She was the kind of grandmother who patiently provided an audience for another granddaughter as she practiced her dance steps over and over. She was the kind of grandmother who had National Geographic magazines always available for the grandson who loves history.  Pat loved spending time with her family whenever we could get together.  She also had some "˜hobbies"™ that she"™s passed down to her daughter and granddaughters - her love of shopping, jewelry, shoes and purses. She shared another hobby of going to garage sales and finding "˜treasures"™ with her son and grandson. Pat was the kind of mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was loved very much and will be greatly missed by her family. She is Gone You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived.  You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back or you can open your eyes and see all she's left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see her or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember her and only that she's gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on. By David Harkins A graveside service at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens is scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at ten o'clock. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Patricia Shell please visit our Sympathy Store.