Shirley Mae Sander passed away on Sept. 29, 2022, in Overland Park.
She was born April 2, 1933, to Louis and Alice (Bellos) Lieberman in Kansas City, Missouri.
She married Sam Sander on June 27, 1954, in Kansas City. They enjoyed 44 wonderful years together before Sam’s untimely death in 1998. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents as well as her son Warren Sander, son-in-law Robert E. Forman Jr., sister Esther Kaufman and brother-in-law David Burnstein. She is survived by daughter Mindy Forman and son Jeff (Linda) Sander; grandchildren Jennifer (Michael) Kirschenbaum and Grant Sander; great-granddaughters Naomi and Sadie Kirschenbaum; sister Rosalyn Burnstein; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Shirley attended Kansas City Public Schools and graduated from Central High School. She worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for several local businesses during her career. In retirement she did volunteer work, relishing the time she spent at the pharmacy and Breast Center at St. Luke’s South.
As a life member of Kehilath Israel Synagogue, she volunteered regularly and served as Rabbi Mandl’s secretary for many years. Later in life, she also became a member of Congregation Beth Shalom.
Shirley is remembered by her family as a kind, quiet soul. She was lovingly called “Mama” by her grandchildren, a name also adopted by many friends of her children and grandchildren. She rarely missed her grandchildren’s activities, whether it be team sports, school concerts or religious school family programs. She and Sam loved traveling together. They could often be found on a cruise with other members of their weekly card group.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful staffs of Anthology of Overland Park and Good Shepherd Hospice for providing tender, loving care to Shirley over these recent months.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education or the charitable organization of your choice.
Graveside services were held Oct. 1, 2022, at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery, 1901 Blue Ridge Blvd, Independence, MO 64052.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
