Shirley M. McNary

Shirley Mae McNary, 89, of Mason City, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, May 30th, 2026, at the home of her daughter.

A gathering to reminisce is being planned and will be announced soon.

Shirley Mae McNary was born in Mason City, Iowa on October 13, 1936, to Edward McNary and Anna Sodawasser, one of five sisters in the family.

In 1958, Shirley married James Dennis Hines and from that marriage she acquired two children, James (Jim) Edward Hines, born 1959, and Jody Kay Hines Hixson, born 1961.

No one would deny Shirley put her family first. Although being employed through the years in such jobs as a salesperson at Damon’s department store, and a librarian at the Forest City Public Library, her main focus was her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She was a fun and creative mom, her last day of school scavenger hunts were a tradition eagerly waited for and enjoyed each year. She introduced classic movies into her children’s lives at an early age and shared with them her love of reading. After Shirley retired, in fact, it was not uncommon for her to read up to five books weekly!

She absolutely shared her love of living in “River City”, both the movie and the soundtrack album of “The Music Man” were played consistently in the home. One of the thrills in her life was the time Robert Preston attended the 1962 Band Festival Parade here in Mason City, and he noticed her and her son Jim standing in the crowd. Robert pointed over to them and exclaimed her son “was a towhead like Ronnie Howard” who played the boy Winthrop in the movie!

Shirley was very involved in helping raise her grandchildren and great grandchildren, many grilled cheese sandwiches and pancakes and eggs were prepared by her out of love. Her intricate chocolate pie and potato salad were renowned in the family, and will be missed, as attempts to recreate by most others have failed!

Shirley was a strong woman. She had the ability to accept situations and rarely, if ever, complained. Her quiet presence was the backbone of our family gatherings.

Unbeknownst to many, Shirley had interests and talent in writing. Her short stories and poems were witty and clever, often empathetic, which she most certainly was.

Along with her children, Shirley will be missed and remembered by her grandchildren, Holly (Andy) Thayer, Lindsey Hines, Amber Sullivan, and Taylor Hixson. Although her great grandchildren, Braden Sullivan, Kynlee Sullivan, Daphne Thayer, and Elliot Thayer had less time with her, they will certainly miss her and be told stories about her in the years to come.

Her youngest sister, Susan Bruns, survives her. Susan played an important part in Shirley’s life helping her raise her young children when Shirley became widowed in 1961. Other surviving family members include brothers-in-law LeRoy Bruns and Jack Leaman.

Shirley was predeceased by both parents along with three sisters, Darlene (Dee) Leaman, Jeanette Ream, and Jean Schutz, and brothers-in-law Jack Ream and Earl Schutz. Her daughter-in-law, Peg Hines, sadly left the family in 2016.

Memorials may be directed to Shirley’s family.