Obituary of Shirl Hope O'Neill

AIKEN, SC – Shirl Hope Kampfer O’Neill (age 97) passed peacefully in her sleep at home on Wednesday, February 10th, 2021. Memorial service to be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church 125 Pendleton St. SW Aiken, SC 29801.

Shirley was born in Yonkers, NY on April 26th, 1923 to the late Fredrick and Margaret Kampfer. After attending Limestone College to study Chemistry, Shirley returned to Yonkers and was married to George Francis O’Neill, on June 6th, 1943.  The couple raised their daughter, Sharon O’Neill Bassett and son, Laird O’Neill in Aiken, SC, where Shirley lived for over 60 years, and enjoyed many close friendships, cocktail hours, great hair days, and episodes of jeopardy on her sun porch.

Shirley was a gifted artist, and was always willing to lend help illustrating programs for her local garden club, gifting paintings to loved ones, and at the encouragement of her teachers, even exhibiting her own watercolor work overseas. She was also a prolific knitter and indeed, you weren’t considered “officially welcomed” into the O’Neill family until you received one of her hand knitted christmas stockings, of which she made over 40 for various spouses, newborns, and family friends. Shirley loved classical music, golf, birdwatching, gardening, and watching the ocean. Above all, she cherished her 63 year marriage to George, whom she lost in 2007.

People always seemed to gravitate towards Shirley, and, in addition to her biological family, she accumulated a large network of loved ones to whom she was a mother figure, long lost grandmother, and friend.  She was an active member of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, and she was known by many for her signature bright pink lipstick, quick laugh, and incredible memory for details.

In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by a sister, Jocelyn Anne Kampfer.

She is survived by her daughter Sherry, son Laird, son-in-law Steve, and daughter-in-law Penny, as well as her granddaughters, Erin, Kelly, Katie, and Tori, their partners, and her three great grandchildren, Amelia, Felix, and Benjamin.

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com