Springboro, Ohio - Shirley Joan Rice Kuhn, age 92, originally of 145 McBride Acres, New Castle, passed to her eternal home on June 28, 2025, where she was surrounded by family and friends.

Born May 18, 1933, in Stockport, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Carl T. Rice and Orpha J. Dittman Rice.

Shirley lived most of her life in Mt. Jackson and later moved to Springboro, Ohio, in 2019 after open heart surgery.

She was a member of the Bethel Evangelical Church of Enon Valley, Pennsylvania, and active in various areas of the church including, chancel choir, "Young at Heart" Sunday school class, Junior Sunday school superintendent, building committee, local church, Director of the Retreat and HOPE. While serving many years in the choir alongside her mother, Orpha, together they were the perfect duo of soprano and alto. Not a hymn went unsung.

Shirley was a 1951 graduate of North Beaver Consolidated High School of Mt. Jackson, Pennsylvania. She was also a registered nurse, graduating in 1954 from the St. Francis Hospital of New Castle.

Shirley married Leroy A. Kuhn, her high school sweetheart, on May 28, 1955. They were married for 53 years and lived in the home that they built in 1957. Leroy preceded her in death Oct. 3, 2008.

Also preceding her in death was a younger brother, Gary T. Rice, whose childhood was plagued by illness yet became the inspiration for Shirley's life's work as a nurse.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Nancy Kuhn of Elizabethtown, Pennsylania; and a daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and David Schumacher of Springboro, Ohio.

Shirley was the proud grandmother to five grandchildren, Justin Kuhn of Ashville, North Carolina, Ashley (Brian) Durost of Marietta, Pennsylvania, Taylor Schumacher of Cincinnati, Ohio, Victoria Schumacher of New York City, New York, and Blaire Schumacher of Columbus, Ohio; as well as two adorable great-granddaughters, Autumn and Rowan Durost.

Shirley is also survived by her sister-in-law, Phyllis Kuhn of Darlington, Pennsylvania; and survived by cousins in Ohio, Steve Battistone, Ann Battistone and Ellen Shraim.

Shirley was blessed with many friends throughout her life, including family friend, Tom Zimmerman of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, who considered her to be his adopted Mom.

Over her 92 years, Shirley touched many lives. She worked as a registered nurse for the St. Francis Hospital of New Castle, where she started her career in the operating room and worked hard to become a nursing supervisor, followed by the assistant director of nursing service.

While she attempted to retire more than once, she continued to care for the ill. Shirley chose to join the Jameson Health System, where she worked in IV Therapy and Medical Oncology.

Following her formal retirement in 1995, she was employed by the Student Transportation of America as an R.N. for children with special needs.

Shirley never truly retired from caring for others, especially in their time of need.

Community Club memberships and volunteer leadership positions were of great interest to Shirley over the course of her entire life. In high school, she was the drum majorette and performed the lead role in the senior play. She was the past president of the North Beaver Civic Club, member of the St. Francis Alumni Association and correspondence secretary of the Lawrence County Federated League, member of the YMCA in New Castle and their 2009 recipient of the Inspiration Award, member of the Arts and Education at the Hoyt in New Castle, Ambassador for the Enclave of Springboro, and member of the Springboro Optimist Club.

Shirley continued her dedication to her Presbyterian faith by attending church and performing in the annual Christmas Cantata at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springboro, Ohio.

Shirley's pleasures may be surprising as she rode a motorcycle, drove a school bus, enjoyed camping and the beach. She also loved baking cream pies for others, rescued animals that often became pets, tuned into basketball and baseball, and loved a good book. These are just a few.

Without a doubt, Shirley's biggest challenge was her fight against cancer. She was a 2003 and 2007 cancer survivor and 2024 fighter of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Shirley also survived mitral valve replacement surgery in 2018. Her dedication to God, life and the will to survive goes unmatched.

Friends have always been her best medicine as she has spanned generations. We thank those for all your love and support over the many years. Mom has always said, "There are no strangers in my life, only friends I haven't met, yet."

Funeral arrangements have been made with R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., located at 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA. Visitations will be 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 6, and 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, July 7. A funeral service will follow the last visitation with Dr. and Rev. William Hoffman officiating.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, please consider a donation to your local church, The Humane Society, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, or plant a special tree in Shirley's memory.

The family wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to The Enclave of Springboro Senior Living for those caregivers and friends that provided love and compassion during Mom's stay in Ohio. Mom said she was on a new journey. She learned to live a new life among strangers who quickly became her friends.