Shirley May McCool

Shirley May McCool neè Wertz, wife of the late Harry J. McCool, Jr., died at Pocopson Home on Thursday, May 3, 2018. Born Nov. 15, 1936 to Harry E. Wertz and Hannah E. neè Lammey, Shirley grew up alongside her sister, Lois, in Upper Uwchlan Township. Shirley and Harry were wed in 1960, and soon welcomed three children; one daughter and twin sons. Harry and Shirley loved to entertain family in their home in West Chester and were an inspiring couple to all who knew them.

Shirley was primarily a homemaker as her children grew, but she was also a secretary, and proud of her fine penmanship and shorthand skills. Before officially retiring in 1995, Shirley worked for the West Chester watershed conservation group Brandywine Valley Association. Throughout her retirement, she and her husband were active volunteers, especially with the Telephone Pioneers of America, Meals on Wheels and the Salvation Army. Shirley was also a member of the Chester County Art Association and enjoyed collecting prints of Chester County artists.

Harry and Shirley enjoyed traveling, most notably visiting both Hawaii and Alaska, but it was well known that Shirley’s favorite place to vacation was Cape May, N.J. The couple hosted their family there for many summer trips and Shirley always loved watching sunsets on the beach. Shirley loved flowers, gardening and nature. She also loved cats, especially pets Nopper and Emma… and even Stripes. Her greatest love, after her husband and family, was vanilla ice cream which she ate a “smedium” dish of almost every night.

Shirley was an empathic person, caring friend, and proud and devoted mother and grandmother. While she was never one to voluntarily take the spotlight, Shirley was an incredibly supportive and nurturing force in her family.

Though she will be sorely missed by all who knew her, she will once again be with her loving husband. She is survived by their children Kelly Dungee, Patrick McCool (Donna), Kevin McCool (Lori), her cat Emma, grandchildren Erin Dungee, Lauren and Michael McCool, step-grandchildren Joseph and Jacqueline Dungee, sister Lois Powell, and sister-in-law Virginia Brown (Richard, deceased) as well as many niece and nephews. 

She is predeceased by her husband, parents, a brother who died at birth, her sisters-in-law Alice Kohlmeyer (Bill, deceased) and Jeanne Whiteman (Lester, deceased), brothers-in-law Francis (DeeDee) and Raymond McCool, and her son-in-law Richard Dungee. 

Funeral Services will be held for relatives and friends at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Prior to the services, visitation with the family will be held from 9 - 11 a.m. at DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 North Church Street West Chester, PA 19380; 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com. Interment at St. Agnes Cemetery, West Chester to follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike West Chester, PA 19380.