Shirley Claire Lose Vennell

LAKELAND - Shirley Claire Lose Vennell passed away peacefully at home in Lakeland, Florida, on January 11, 2019 to be with the Lord. She was the third child to Lloyd Levi Lose and Margaret Adams Lose. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 13, 1928. She started singing when she was very young and sang along when her father while he played the piano. She was a child protégée who sang on the radio and stage as an Operatic Soprano. Her voice coach was Jeanette MacDonald's sister, Elsie MacDonald from Philadelphia. While singing Wagner's opera 'Die Walküre,' the battle-cry of the Valkyries, she hurt her voice and took the necessary time to heal. During that time, she started working for the Bell Telephone Company as a switch board operator. At a Christmas party she met the love of her life, George W. Vennell, who was a lineman for the Telephone Company. He approached her, but she turned away from him, because they had not been formally introduced. He quickly found a friend and the introductions took place. It was a true Cinderella story from start to finish. She was a faithful Christian her entire life. Her love for her family always came before herself and was her lifelong priority. Her husband George Vennell Sr. preceded her in death, as well as her brother Lloyd Lose, sister Norma Lose, and her son-in-law Ronald Vautard. She is survived by her sister Margaret Phyllis Lose, and her 5 children: George Vennell Jr., Margaret Vennell Vautard, Caroline Vennell Thompson, Alvaretta Vennell Mastrodomenico, and John Brittain Vennell. She has two sons-in-law: Joseph Mastrodomenico, and Kenneth Thompson. She also has one daughter-in-law: Cheryl Vennell. She has 12 grandchildren: Paul Haynicz, Peter and his wife Katy Haynicz- Smith, Patrick Haynicz, Nicholas Vennell, Jonathan Vennell, Richard Vautard, Michael Thompson, Michele Paynter, James Mastrodomenico, Joseph Mastrodomenico Jr., Dominick Mastrodomenico, and Thomas Mastrodomenico. She has 14 great grandchildren: Ellayna Haynicz, Rowan Haynicz-Smith, Samuel Paynter, Daniel Paynter, Nathanael Paynter, Maria Mastrodomenico, Ava Mastrodomenico, Alexander Mastrodomenico, Dominick Mastrodomenico Jr., Nicholas Mastrodomenico, Abigail Mastrodomenico, Megan Mastrodomenico, Courtney Mastrodomenico, and Stephanie Mastrodomenico. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Faith Community Church South, 3115 Main Street, Cottondale, Florida 32431 and/or Exchange Cemetery Company in c/o Willard Kirkner, 255 School House Lane, Turbotville, PA 17772.