DALLAS — Missy Shorey, the first woman ever to chair the Dallas County Republican Party, died unexpectedly Tuesday night after a speaking engagement in Washington, D.C. She was 47.
“It is with heavy heart that I must inform you that my beloved Missy Shorey passed unexpectedly last night to be with the Angels in Heaven,” wrote her husband, Marc Himelhoch, on Facebook Wednesday. “Words cannot express how much she meant to me and so many of you. There will be two memorial services. One in Burnt Hills, N.Y. on Wednesday May 1st and another in Dallas at a date TBD.”
Friends told WFAA that Shorey and her husband were in Washington, where she was speaking at the American Enterprise Institute. Tuesday night, friends said, her husband found her unresponsive in the bathroom. Her death is believed to be heart-related, they said.
Shorey, elected to her position in 2017, appeared multiple times on WFAA’s Inside Texas Politics to discuss conservative causes and debate her counterpart at the Dallas County Democratic Party.
“Missy was a tireless fighter for Dallas County and the Republican Party, and no one worked harder to help elect Republicans to local office in Dallas County and beyond,” said U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas 5th District. “She was a prominent and distinguished voice for activists, voters, and the citizens of Dallas County. Her loss will be felt by all.”
“Missy is a beautiful soul and is impossible to replace as a friend or party chair,” said Doug Deason, finance chair for the Dallas GOP. “Prayers will be with Marc and her family.”
“Missy and I did not always agree, but we respected each other, and we worked together to mediate candidate disputes and to keep things running smoothly," said Carol Donovan, chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party. "We extend our sincere condolences to her family, as well as to the Dallas County Republican Party for the loss of a great person, leader and friend.”
“Missy will be remembered for her steadfast dedication to her family, her community, and her values. I was fortunate to count Missy as a friend, and I extend my condolences to her husband Marc, their family, and Missy’s many friends in North Texas and beyond,” said U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D., R-Texas 26th District.
Karen Watson is the vice chair of the party and will assume Shorey’s position.
