Mary Eileen Shelde, aka Mary Sunshine, 93, passed away May 28 in her beloved Glendale home of 67 years. Mary Eileen was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At the age of 17, Mary Eileen McGrath met the love of her life, Andrew Shelde, and the two were married a few years later. Soon after marrying “Andy” they headed west to begin their new and exciting life in California.

Mary Eileen worked at Paramount Studios as a war bonds salesperson. She sold war bonds to Bing Crosby, Cecil B. DeMille, Stan Laurel, Douglas Fairbanks, Billy Wilder and many other celebrities. It was Bing Crosby who arranged to have the studio’s head of photography provide headshots and glamour shots of Mary Eileen. When an offer to do a screen test and reading was presented to her, Mary Eileen declined saying the only thing she was considering was raising a family. She said, “No, thank you” to Hollywood. She ended her working career working for the State of California Dept. of Employment.

Having a family indeed was her mission. Mary Eileen was always supportive of her children’s sporting activities, driving the family station wagon filled with kids and equipment thousands of miles without ever complaining.

She had many friends whose hearts she warmed. She was loved by many.

Mary Eileen had two children, Eileen Marie Connole and John Shelde. She had two grandchildren, Megan Connole and Jason Connole.

She was preceded in death by her three sisters, Theresa Brown, Patricia Barrett and Jeri Wollman, along with her loving husband of 68 years, Andy. The bells in heaven were ringing when Mary Sunshine arrived.

A memorial Mass will be held Saturday, June 20 at Holy Redeemer

Catholic Church, 2411 Montrose Ave. in Montrose.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation in her name be made to

Vaquero Little League Baseball, 501 S. Pacific Ave., Glendale, CA or the Little League baseball organization in your area.