Easton - Shirley L. “Honeybee” McNeal, 90, died peacefully on May, 16th 2017 in Melbourne, Florida where she had been entertaining her son, Jeff - his wife, Sharon - grandkids, Courtney Milroy and Stephanie Mausser, and great grandkids, Cole and Sidney Mausser and Sophie Milroy, with smiles, wit and laughter for the past 8 years.

Born on June 4th, 1926 in Easton, Maryland to Alonza and Pauline Phillips, Shirley was the sister of Irma Warrington, Bette Mulder, Stanley (Bud) Phillips and Kenneth Phillips. She attended Easton public schools and graduated from Easton High in 1943. After graduation she worked for the Phone company then many businesses in Easton including: Reed’s, Bata Shoes, Tastee Freeze, Shearer’s, Cherry’s, and Joan’s. Shirley Married Alfred McNeal in 1946 and spent the majority of her life living just outside Easton.

Always a helpful and compassionate person, she spent many days taking care of family and friends who were ill or had fallen on hard times. She was also very active in the volunteer community. Honeybee loved to socialize, sew, cook, read and walk, and completed the Bay Bridge walk many times with her close friend, Aggie Kraus. She completed her final Bridge walk when she was 79. Most of all Shirley liked to laugh, a quality she inherited from her Mother and Grandparents and perfected with her brothers and sisters and friends like Aggie and Joe Walkus, the only person who could get her to smile for a photograph. She was a member of Faith Chapel United Methodist Church in Bruceville and cherished the fellowship and support of the Church and the many friends she made there.

Honeybee’s wishes in later years for those who knew her were not to make a fuss with flowers or services during this time, but “Maybe donate a little something to a worthwhile charity.” She hoped that those who knew her would remember her fondly. I will. Love you, Honeybee. Family and friends will be invited to a small memorial gathering at a later date.