Shirley Ann Kessinger, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2026, surrounded by her family and showered in love.

Shirley was born on May 11, 1941, in Great Falls, Montana. Her life took her far beyond the place where it began. As the wife of a military man, Shirley and her family lived in communities throughout the country, embracing the many places and people that became part of their story. Their travels even took them overseas to Spain, adding another chapter to a life filled with adventure, change, and countless memories.

Through all those moves and all those years, one thing remained constant - Shirley made wherever she was feel like home.

She was a woman who cared deeply for her family and her community, and she had a remarkable gift for making people feel that there was always a place for them. Her home was a safe haven - a place where you could come as you were, find a seat at the table, and know you were welcome.

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas “Buck” Kessinger, who passed away in March 2021. She is survived by her four children: Russell Kessinger and his wife, Kim; Suzanne Kessinger; Gail Kessinger; and Linda Astorga and her husband, Julio. She leaves behind twelve grandchildren, a large and growing number of great-grandchildren, and her sweet dog, Chanel, each of whom carries memories of her love, her laughter and the special place she made for them in her life.

Shirley found joy in the simple things and never needed much of an excuse for a good time. She loved playing cards, gathering around a bingo game, and engaging in a little bit of gossip. She knew how to make ordinary moments memorable, and she understood that some of the best parts of life happen around a table, among people you love.

One of Shirley's lifelong passions was collecting bells. Over the years, her collection grew much more than a collection of objects. Each bell became a small piece of her story, gathered from the many places she lived and visited throughout her life. Now, her collection has been scattered among the people she loved, allowing little pieces of her to continue ringing in the homes of her family.

She was deeply loved. She will be deeply missed. And her bell will never truly stop ringing.

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

by John Donne

No man is an island,

Entire of itself.

Each is a piece of the continent,

A part of the main.

If a clod be washed away by the sea,

Europe is the less.

As well as if a promontory were.

As well as if a manor of thine own

Or of thy friend's were.

Each man's death diminishes me,

For I am involved in mankind.

Therefore, send not to know

For whom the bell tolls,

It tolls for thee.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.