Shirley Kay Gooden

Shirley Kay Gooden, 70, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, January 19, 2013.

She was born March 23, 1942 in Topeka, KS, the daughter of Virgil F. and Darlene L. (Highfill) DeHart. She was a graduate of Seaman High School. She attended Washburn University.

Mrs. Gooden was employed by Elkins Drug Store in North Topeka, Topeka Police Department, and retired from Sunflower Dental Studio in 2000. She also volunteered for Logan Junior High School, West Indianola School and Every Women's Resource.

She was a member of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church.

Shirley married Richard G. Gooden on September 23, 1961 in Topeka. He survives of the home. Other survivors include two sons, Eric (Cameron) Gooden, Lawrence, KS and Troy (Jill) Gooden, Topeka; a daughter, Denise (Steve) Koch, Centralia, KS; 11 grandchildren, J.T., Beau and Cole Gooden, Jayci and Tyler Gooden, Lukas, Malori, Levi, Maegan, Sarah and Derek Koch; her mother, Darlene DeHart, Topeka; a brother, Arthur F. DeHart, Green Leaf, KS; two sisters, Dee Thompson and Ann (Rich) Schiefelbein, both of Topeka; and a very close friend, Brenda Gonzalez. She was preceded in death by her father.

Shirley was an avid K-State fan. She enjoyed painting, reading, golfing, dancing, drinking and spending time with her family, especially helping raise and teasing her grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at the Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, 2014 NW 46th St, Topeka. Interment will follow at the Maple Hill Cemetery, Maple Hill, KS. Shirley will lie in state after 3 p.m., Tuesday at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, where a Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. The family will receive friends following the rosary until 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care of Kansas, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.

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