Shirley Kinnett

Shirley F. Howard Kinnett, 82, of Indianapolis, IN passed away on July 21, 2020, in her home surrounded by her family, after a long battle with cancer.  Shirley, the only daughter of Luther and Christine Howard, was born on March 28, 1938.

She attended Daniel Webster IPS #46 and George Washington High School in Indianapolis. Shirley lived on the west side of Indianapolis for all of her life.

Shirley was a homemaker for most of her life but also worked as an Activity Coordinator for the Park and Recreation Department at Rhodius Park.  Later, she worked seasonally for Godiva Chocolates at the Circle Center Mall in Indianapolis.

Shirley loved reading, gardening, cooking and collecting cookbooks, and shopping (especially for shoes).  Her favorite flowers were roses, peonies, hydrangeas, gardenias, and magnolias.  Besides hosting all of the family holidays and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she enjoyed the company of her pets, Levi, Louie, Baby, and Pookie.  Chocolate was always a staple at her house and her favorite dessert was Shapiro’s Strawberry Cheesecake.  Though she was a very petite and soft- spoken woman, she was also known for her tenacious spirit and “feisty” disposition.  She continued to be very active during her four- year battle with cancer and outlived her prognosis by two years.

Preceding her in death was her brother, Robert L. Howard; and her son, Michael Graves.

Shirley is survived by her 5 living children, Deborah Collar of Spring Hill, TN, Patrice Graves of Greenwood, IN, Jeffrey Graves, Christopher Graves, and Robert Anthony Graves all of Indianapolis, IN.  Shirley Kinnett was always eager to boast about her 14 grandchildren and 18 great- grandchildren, never missing a birthday or a special occasion.

A Celebration of Life will be held for family and close friends on August 29.  In lieu of flowers it was Shirley’s wish that contributions and donations be made to the American Cancer Society or The Making Strides for Breast Cancer charity with funds going specifically to breast cancer patients.