Agnes Shriver

Agnes Marie McCorry Shriver, 79, died May 10, 2010, at Central Wyoming Hospice in Casper, Wyo., with her children by her side. She was born March 21, 1931, to James E. and Agnes McNulty McCorry in Jamaica Plain, Mass., and was raised in the Boston area. Agnes attended St. Thomas Aquinas School grades 1-12, graduating in 1949. She was an excellent student and basketball player. During high school she worked summers in the kitchen at Mass. General Hospital, always finishing in time to spend the day at the beach with her friends. She also enjoyed exploring Harvard's Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain, and going to dances, where she would meet her future husband. She was also a bobby-soxer - an early and lifelong fan of Frank Sinatra. She saw him in concert in Boston and later in Denver. She married Edward S. Shriver on Nov. 14, 1953, in Jamaica Plain and the newlyweds headed west to Denver in 1955 - the first of either of their families to do so. While Ed worked for insurance companies in Denver, Agnes was a teller at First National Bank. They later moved to Aurora, Colo., where Ed established his own agency. Agnes stayed home to raise their three children. The pair was active in the Jaycees, March of Dimes and other charities and community organizations. The family always loved to travel and explore Colorado and the West - having many great adventures. In 1974 they moved to Casper when Agnes decided to return to school and pursue a degree in nursing at Casper College. She graduated in 1980 as an R.N. She always emphasized that it was never too late to learn and she embraced that by being a life-long learner - reading, taking a variety of classes and staying on top of current events. Agnes loved art, music and history - especially that of her Boston Irish heritage. Agnes worked at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper on the Neurological Floor and later as part of the Float Pool. She was known for being able to come into any situation with skill, a calming influence, optimism and humor, no matter how stressful the day. She was honored for her nursing skills at WMC. After retiring in 1996 she returned to work part-time in Pre-Hospitalization until 2004 and also volunteered as a Pink Lady. In retirement she traveled to Ireland with her sister Anne and also traveled extensively with her sisters around the U.S. She always enjoyed time spent with friends and family in Cody and Denver. Agnes was known for her kindness, never saying a bad word about anyone, and her generosity and love of friends and family. It was said that "the world needs more people like Agnes." She is survived by her children E. Stephen (Laurie) of Lone Tree, Colo., James (Carla) of Casper and Anne Marie Shriver of Cody, six grandchildren, and sisters Anne McCorry Tauriello of Denver and Rose Donahue of Boston. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Edward in 1992 and half-brother Paul McNulty. A wake and rosary will be at Bustard's Funeral Home in Casper at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 13. Funeral mass will be at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Casper at 2 p.m. Friday with burial to follow in Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston (the order of her beloved aunt, Sister Mary Martin), 637 Cambridge St., Brighton, Mass., 02135-2801 or Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions, 319 S. Wilson Street, Casper, 82601. Condolences for the family may be left at bustardsfuneralhome.co