Debbie Shaughnessy

Debbie Shaughnessy, known to her close acquaintances as "Debbie Cakes" or "Debbie Doo" and to her countless friends as simply "Mom," decided on March 4, 2025, that this world just wasn't big enough for her enormous personality. So, in true Debbie fashion, she dramatically exited stage left—probably with jazz hands—leaving Lee’s Summit, MO, with significantly less energy (and likely a Mountain Dew surplus).

Born on July 29, 1957, in the bustling metropolis of Manhattan, KS, Debbie started her life's mission of making friends and collecting loved ones like some people collect souvenir spoons. She dazzled with baton twirls (yes, even the flaming ones), dominated the softball diamond, and honed a gift for gab that would later serve her well in her "people person" jobs. She worked at places like the YWCA and in jewelry sales before eventually landing at Goodyear Tire and Factory in 2005, where she put in 14 years of what we can only assume was 20% work and 80% social hour before retiring in 2019.

A proud graduate of Highland Park High School in 1975, Debbie later attended Kansas State University, possibly for the sole purpose of continuing her reign as the life of every party. When not redefining the concept of "personal space," she devoted her time to the arts of decorating, baking, gardening, watching Chiefs football (or maybe just trying to out yell the men?), and spoiling her grandchildren. She also had a well-documented obsession with Christmas that could rival Santa himself, and an inexplicable ability to always have Mountain Dew on hand.

Debbie’s greatest accomplishment was undoubtedly her family—whom she ruled, loved, and wrangled with equal parts enthusiasm and flair. She leaves behind her daughters: Kim (Matthew) Songs, Trisha (Scott) Johnson, and Katie (Homero) Alarcon, all of whom inherited her energy, charm, and possibly her caffeine dependency. She also leaves behind Marley, her canine partner-in-crime, who will likely continue searching for her under every couch and snack cupboard. Her brother, Dan (Linda) Neely, who once thought he was her #1 priority before realizing she had enough love to adopt half the planet, will also miss her dearly.

She is now reunited with her sister, Patty Ann Neely; her parents, Thomas and Hazel Neely; and her daughter’s father, Michael Shaughnessy; and Wrigley, Roco, and ALL of her favorite dogs—who are undoubtedly getting caught up in a whirlwind of Debbie energy as we speak.

Though Debbie has technically left the building, let’s be real—she’s not really gone. She’s just found a bigger stage with a better audience. If you happen to catch a sudden burst of laughter, a warm hug out of nowhere, or the inexplicable urge to grab a Mountain Dew, just know—Debbie’s still here, making sure no one is ever a stranger for too long.