Shirley Lequea Groninger, 94, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Friday June 19, 2026, at her home in Slidell.
Shirley Louise Lequea was born in Belleville, Pennsylvania on November 14, 1931, to John and Edith (Knepp) Lequea. She had three sisters: Virginia, Josephine, and Thelma, and one brother, Johnny.
Shirley attended Lewistown High School where her nickname was “Shirl.” She was in the Glee Club and described as “Tiny…pleasing personality…likes Port Royal…has a smile for everyone…and pretty hair.” Her ambition in the Rigamarole section of the Yearbook was “To live in Burnham.” She carried those personality traits throughout her life but never lived in Burnham.
Shirl must have liked Port Royal because she met the love of her life, Benjamin “Benny” Groninger, on the porch of the Old Port General Store, while she was visiting her best friend, who coincidentally lived next door to the Groningers. Their love affair blossomed. While Ben attended Penn State, Shirley waitressed at the Corner Room in State College, keeping him well fed during his studies. Shirl and Benny were married on June 7, 1952, and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary together in 2017.
Ben’s work, as an aerospace engineer, took them to interesting places and adventures around the country. Those places included Wilson Point in Middle River, Maryland; Bel Air, Maryland; Downingtown, Pennsylvania; Littleton, Colorado; and finally, Slidell, Louisiana.
Along the way, Shirley had several interesting jobs including working at Snook Photography Studio in Lewistown, and Krafty Korners Craft Store in Littleton. But, her main “job” was being a loving housewife and mother, raising two kids for over 68 years. Shirley had three children, Patti Lynn, Randal Lee, and Lisa Ann. Sadly, Patti died of pneumonia when she was five months old.
After Benny's retirement in 1990, the two spent many wonderful springs and summers at their Old Port home, greatly enjoying family, friends and life on the side porch. Shirl loved to cook and was known for her soups, Pennsylvania Pot Pie, Turkey Stuffing, Crab Cakes, Shrimp Creole, Trash (spicy Chex party mix) and Russian Tea Cookies. She loved Penn State Football, the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. She went to the Indy 500 seven times and met her favorite driver Helio Castroneves twice. They visited Elvis’s home at Graceland, saw a night-time Space Shuttle launch (Ben worked on the Shuttle External Tank Program in Louisiana), and traveled well and often between Louisiana and Pennsylvania.
Shirley is survived by her son Randy (Jude) of Bagdad Florida/Port Royal, Pennsylvania and her daughter Lisa Buller (Rick) of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Along the way, Benny and Shirl made many wonderful life-long friends who they enjoyed throughout their lives. Towards the end of their journey (Ben was 88, Shirley was 94), they were not able to travel anymore and got to know additional friends who were their loving caregivers.
We gratefully thank the many special people that have been part of our lives for these last few years, including Rachel, Kim, Olivia, Nikki, Shay, and Colleen, the local firefighters of St. Tammany Fire District No. 1 in Slidell, Dr. Matthew McElveen and his staff at the Ochsner Slidell Cancer Center, and the Notre Dame Hospice. All have been truly wonderful, and all have become a special part of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friendship Fire Company No. 1, P.O. Box 274, Port Royal, PA 17082.
A private burial will be held at the Old Church Hill Cemetery in Port Royal, Pennsylvania at the family’s convenience.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 4/7/17 - Image Year: 1950
Shirley Lequea after graduating from high school, but before marriage to Benny Groninger. (Photo submitted by Randy Groninger)
Contributed by ranjude on 12/18/19 - Image Year: 1934
Shirley and her sister Thelma at their house in Belleville.
Contributed by ranjude on 12/18/19 - Image Year: 1948
Shirley.
Contributed by ranjude on 12/18/19 - Image Year: 1937
SIBLINGS - Shirley and her siblings (from left to right): Virginia, Thelma, Jo, Shirley, and Johnny.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 4/7/17 - Image Year: 1949
Shirley's photo from her 1949 Lewistown High School Yearbook. Note that she says that she likes Port Royal. (Photo submitted by Randy Groninger)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 4/7/17 - Image Year: 1950
Shirley sitting on the porch in Old Port. (Photo submitted by Randy Groninger)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 4/7/17 - Image Year: 1952
Shirley on her wedding day, June 7, 1952.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 4/7/17 - Image Year: 1952
GRONINGER WEDDING: Benny and Shirley's wedding on June 7, 1952. (Pictured l-r): Edith Lequea (Shirley's mother), Shirley, Benny, Bill (Benny's Brother), Marian, and Ben Groninger, (Benny's Parents)(Photo submitted by Randy Groninger)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 4/8/17 - Image Year: 1952
OFF TO THE HONEYMOON: Ben and Shirley - Married on June 7, 1952
Contributed by rkohker3 on 5/4/18 - Image Year: 1960
BENNY & SHIRLEY AT CHRISTMAS DINNER (Photo submitted by son Randy who says that this is one of his favorite photos of his parents.)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 5/17/17 - Image Year: 1960
Shirley with her husband's grandmother, Rosa (Dimm) VanOrmer, mother of Marion Groninger. (From Ben Groninger's album. Submitted by his grandson, Randy Groninger.)
Contributed by ranjude on 2/15/22 - Image Year: 2001
PENN STATE TAILGATE Benny and Shirley at a Penn State game on 2001. (Photo submitted by son Randy Groninger)
Contributed by ranjude on 2/15/22 - Image Year: 2011
SHIRLEY'S SHOT: Shirley drinking a shot of Whisky (and she never drinks!) to toast Melvin Wilson (her brother-in-law) before his funeral on 11.14.2011, which happened to be her 80th birthday.
Contributed by ray on 4/7/17 - Image Year: 2012
READY TO CELEBRATE: (from left) Jim McClure, Ben V. Groninger, Sandy McClure, Shirley Groninger at the Groninger home in Old Port. All are dressed and ready to attend the Tuscarora Valley High School Reunion and the beginning of the Port Royal Bicentennial Celebration. (Submitted by Randy Groninger)
