BURLINGTON, KY
Shannon Elizabeth Gonzenbach McBee, 45, of Burlington, Kentucky, passed away on July 18th, 2023, at Edgewood St. Francis Hospice in the arms of her loving family. She was born October 26, 1977, the daughter of Jan DeMoss Gonzenbach Pifer and Dr. Gary Karl Gonzenbach, formerly of Columbus, Indiana. Liz married her beloved husband of 23 years, Samuel Mark McBee, on December 30, 2000, in Columbus, Indiana, and he survives her, as does their only son, 18-year-old Charles Gabriel (Gabe) McBee.
In 1995, Liz graduated from Columbus North High School, where she enjoyed many activities, including Debuteens, Musical Theatre, Concert Choir, Varsity Cheerleading, First Presbyterian Church Choir and Freedom Belles. She was an Honor Student, and represented Columbus Rotary Club as an exchange student in Columbus’ Sister City, Myoshi, Japan. In 1995, she received the Mayor’s Arts Award, from Mayor Robert Stewart. Her summers were filled with many happy hours working for Columbus Parks and Recreation, and performing in summer Musicals.
Liz graduated from Indiana University (Bloomington) in 2000, with degrees in her Double Major of Music and Parks and Recreation. She proudly became a Varsity Member of Singing Hoosiers, and enjoyed traveling and performing for the University. Many life-long friendships resulted from her affiliation with Phi Mu Sorority. Summers found her working for Parks and Recreation and enjoying the fellowship of “Mill Race Players.”
Her career with Boone County, Kentucky, Parks and Recreation allowed her to share her talents with the Community as an award-winning Program Planner. She created five Summer Day-Camps in the Public Schools, planning them from the ground up, while creating and implementing all of her other programs. Some of her favorites were “Mommy and Me for Tea,” “Little Galileo’s,” “Build-A-Boat,” “Dinosaur Day with Dad,” “Decorate a Tree for Wildlife,” Answering “Letters to Santa,” “Harry Potter Movie Nights,” and the “Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt.” Liz also organized the Spring and Fall Community Garage Sales where people who loved her returned year after year to participate. Professionally she served on the Awards Committee for Kentucky KRPS. Liz truly loved her work and the people of Boone County!
Liz loved Life! Going to the beach and hiking in nature with her family were her favorite activities. Working with children always brought great satisfaction! In her final months, even while she was experiencing extreme headaches from the cancer, she said that being with her kids brought her relief. Nothing could stop her from serving her Community, State and Country! She cherished her Family and Friends, and always prayed for their well-being. Heaven has a new angel, and her light will continue to shine down on us in beautiful memories of her Life!
Preceding her in death were her Grandparents, Forrest (Frosty) and Gracie DeMoss, and L.G. Gonzenbach. Also, her Uncle Bud DeMoss, Father-in-Law, Mike McBee, and Cousin, Eric Gonzenbach.
Survivors include her Husband of 23 years, Mark McBee, and Son, Gabe McBee; her Father, Dr. Gary Gonzenbach (Joyce) and her Mother, Jan Pifer (Jim) as well as a Cousin on her Mother’s side, Katie Scroyer (Chuck.) Also surviving are her Uncles Steve Gonzenbach (Stephanie) and David Gonzenbach, Grandmother, Mary Gonzenbach, as well as Cousins Shelley Gonzenbach, Tracie Gonzenbach, and Amy Gonzenbach Reed. Her Mother-In-Law, Cyndy McBee and Brother-In-Law, Sean McBee (Jessica) and Niece, Sophia McBee also survive, as well as Mark’s Aunt and Uncle, Cylvia and Doug Toy, and their Daughter, Leah Toy.
A Celebration of Liz’s amazing Life will be held at Linnemann Funeral Home, Saturday, August 12th, at 2:30 p.m., 1940 Burlington Pike, Burlington, Kentucky 41005. In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make Memorial Donations to the Boone County Animal Care and Control, 5643 Idlewild Rd, Burlington, KY 41005, or Boone County Parks and Recreation, c/o David Whitehouse, 5958 Garrard Street, Burlington, KY 41005.
