Memories of Michele "Shelly" Louise Gehshan

In memory of

Michele "Shelly" Louise Gehshan

Bethesda, MD

1954 - March 31, 2023

1954 - Mar 31, 2023

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Brittaney Carter

What a devastating loss. Shelly was the sole reason I joined the GSPP Alumni Board in 2015. I was feeling so defeated at the time and just wanted to retreat, but she encouraged me to keep speaking up and was an incredible mentor. It meant more to me than she probably knew. I'm praying her family can rest in the fact that she was such an incredible human.

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Mark Obrinsky

Bill Maas

Diana Obrinsky

Garrett Beam

San Diego, CA, USA

One of our most cherished memories of Shelly that we have as a family was when Shelly and Mark visited us in San Diego in conjunction with a conference Mark was attending. While playing with the kids, a game was quickly invented that involved Mark acting like a Shark and Shelly rolling the kids up in blankets to make them into burritos. The kids absolutely loved it. Since that time, we referred to Mark and Shelly as Mark the Shark and Shelly Burrito. We will forever miss our dear Shelly Burrito and we will forever cherish and remember the joy she brought into our lives and into this world. Love, the San Diego Beam Family

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Mark Obrinsky

Diana Obrinsky

Hannah Marqusee

Dan Steinberg

Clarine Nardi Riddle

Mark and family,

I am so sorry to hear of the death of your wife. All the memories written reveal a totally lovely and caring person. May all those memories comfort you at this time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers .

Deepest sympathies, Clarine

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$3,244.00

Raised by 21 people

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Diana Obrinsky

2014, San Rafael, CA, USA

Shelly helping to celebrate Kennedy Whorton's birthay.

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Luisa Simone

Mark Obrinsky

Luisa Simone

2018, Portland, OR, USA

Shelly and Mark wine tasting in Oregon. — with Shelly and Mark

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Diana Obrinsky

Mark Obrinsky

Comments:

Luisa Simone

This is one of my favorite pictures of Shelly. Shelly, Mark, Bob and I spent a lovely afternoon visiting ... Read more This is one of my favorite pictures of Shelly. Shelly, Mark, Bob and I spent a lovely afternoon visiting a handful of wineries.... Read more This is one of my favorite pictures of Shelly. Shelly,... Read more

Dan Steinberg

I’ve been trying to compose my thoughts about this loss and what it means to me but I just don’t know if I’m capable. Shelly was my great friend, my mentor, my confidante, and my DC mom. Shelly gave me advice, hosted me at her home countless times, and for a brief period, gave me a place to live. She helped me navigate the best and worst times of my life: she threw my baby shower and seven years later took my calls during my divorce. There are some losses that you don’t “get over,” or even WANT to “get over.” I will just have to integrate this experience into my life, be forever changed, and miss her always.

Much love to Mark, Alex, and Hannah. You have been on my mind constantly.

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Hannah Marqusee

Mark Obrinsky

Diana Obrinsky

Dan Steinberg

Diana Obrinsky

Mark Obrinsky

Dan Steinberg

Donna Folkemer

Hannah Marqusee

Mark Obrinsky

Dan Steinberg

Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA

Biking to Woods Hole

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Donna Folkemer

Diana Obrinsky

Mark Obrinsky

Comments:

Janice Phillips

What a beautiful soul. Shelly was my coach and I LOVED meeting with her. She was always providing sage advice... Read more What a beautiful soul. Shelly was my coach and I LOVED meeting with her. She was always providing sage advice on how to advance... Read more What a beautiful soul. Shelly was my coach and I LOVED... Read more

Fred Wright

Shelly will be missed greatly but she has left us all with great memories of how she cared for others and enjoyed people.

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Fred Wright

2019

65th Birthday Party

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Diana Obrinsky

Mark Obrinsky

CAROL GEHSHAN

Shared a heart

Anne Stoe

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of Shelly’s family, especially her sister Gail, my college housemate.

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Julia Isaacs

Shared a heart

Julia Isaacs

1994, a park in Arlington VA, or possibly Bethesda, MD

Shelly and I met in fall 1983, at public policy school at Berkeley, when I was 23 and she was 28 (or 29?). I looked up to her and was thrilled when we became close friends. This photo is some 10-11 years later, when we were both living in the DC area and still close friends. It's been years, but I still treasure her smile and laugh and all she gave me. I was so saddened to learn of her sudden decline and death; deep condolences to her family.

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Mark Obrinsky

Julia Isaacs

Bethesda, MD, USA

Shelly with baby Hannah. So many happy memories of hanging out on Shelly's porch when her kids were young. So many kids' birthday parties, and informal get togethers, and parties of various types. A treasured time. A warm and special person.

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Diana Obrinsky

Mark Obrinsky

Stu Henderson

Shelly was in singing class with me. She was always present, in the moment, with a smile. Her smile and her attitude showed how much she enjoyed the moment and the company. She expected an answer to "How are you?" and responded attentively. She reached out to anyone grieving or in need. She was a giver, and connected me to several opportunities, including chances to help refugees and to support good politics. She sang beautifully. She lived beautifully. I am grateful for the chance to have known her.

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Mark Obrinsky

Dan Steinberg

Bill Maas

Comments:

Mark Obrinsky

She so loved singing with you all! She so loved singing with you all! She so loved singing with you all!

Biga and Rich Toolanen Lewis

I am so sorry for your great loss. I know Shelly from tennis, dinner parties, political activism , films and theatre, exchanging wardrobes...walks and talks. Will miss our conversations. Shelly was honest, frank, generous, with a good heart and great humor. Can not process that she would not be here any longer. I miss her very much. We will be close to Mark.

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Mark Obrinsky

Hannah Marqusee

Dan Steinberg

Elizabeth Trosman

2007, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA

Music, dancing and cooking (and maybe a little wine?) with my dear friend. How I will miss her! — with Shelly and Liz

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Mark Obrinsky

Hannah Marqusee

Elizabeth Trosman

Mel LeVan

Mark Obrinsky

Comments:

Mel LeVan

Shelly, Alex and Hannah visited us in Kodiak and then traveled to my parents in Seward before they left to... Read more Shelly, Alex and Hannah visited us in Kodiak and then traveled to my parents in Seward before they left to go north and see Alaska's... Read more Shelly, Alex and Hannah visited us in Kodiak and then... Read more

Mel LeVan

Shared a heart

Jennifer Hart

Shelly is one of the first people I met as a newly minted coach at my first local ICF coaching coffee. I will never forget her kindness in engaging me in a REAL conversation about living/coaching/running my business on my own terms during a time when I was filled with uncertainty and doubt. As we continued to bump into each other over the years, Shelly was always good for a laugh; particularly at the absurd! My heart goes out to all who knew and loved her -- especially her family. We've lost a bright light.

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Mark Obrinsky

Robin Ritterhoff

2014, Bethesda, MD, USA

Harvesting Gooseberries

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Mark Obrinsky

Hannah Marqusee

Comments:

Robin Ritterhoff

When Arthur & I were fortunate to move to the house next door to Shelly in 1993, and I planted a gooseberry... Read more When Arthur & I were fortunate to move to the house next door to Shelly in 1993, and I planted a gooseberry bush, I had no idea... Read more When Arthur & I were fortunate to move to the house... Read more

Robin Ritterhoff

2015, Bethesda, MD, USA

Shelly’s amazing gooseberry pies

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Mark Obrinsky

Hannah Marqusee

Comments:

Robin Ritterhoff

Shelly was the best pie maker, and so very generous with her pies! Just one of the ways that Shelly lit up... Read more Shelly was the best pie maker, and so very generous with her pies! Just one of the ways that Shelly lit up the world and brought... Read more Shelly was the best pie maker, and so very generous... Read more

F Thomas Fudala

Loved her apple pies when we visited with her and Mark at the Cape house on Ashumet Pond! Loved her apple pies when we visited with her and Mark at the Cape house on Ashumet Pond! Loved her apple pies when we visited with her and Mark... Read more