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In memory of

Shirley Elaine Kelley

Castle Rock, WA, USA

November 13, 1949 - May 11, 2020

Nov 13, 1949 - May 11, 2020

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Shirley Elaine Kelley, much-loved wife, mother, and grandmother, peacefully passed away in her home in Castle Rock, WA on Monday, May 11th, 2020.

Born in San Francisco, California on November 13th, 1949, she spent her early years in the Bay Area, and adolescence in Northern California and South Lake Tahoe. Later, she would go on to live briefly in Southern California before living in Reno, Nevada for several years, then San Ramon, California, and eventually, the Pacific Northwest, which she adored for all its natural wonder: rainforests, waterfalls, and mountains. Shirley was a remarkable woman: creative, unique, and absolutely fearless in “being herself”. She radiated with joy whilst chatting to every single person she came into contact with. She had a knack for decorating spaces, could intuitively make home repairs, and had a real green thumb― keeping plants alive and healthy for far longer than her friends and family. She was “Squirrelly”. She was “Grandma Oma”, often expressing how proud she was of her granddaughters. A spotter of hidden treasures. A lover of film and literature; she was always happy to have a musical or classic Hollywood movie marathon. A science fiction geek, curious about the mysteries of the universe. Inspired by Cher, ABBA, Dolly Parton, and Barbra Streisand. A Disney fan. A rescuer of creatures great and small. She savored working on turning her dream home in Castle Rock into a magical menagerie. She had a gift for nurturing both animals and babies. She possessed artistic talent and an undeniable eye for detail; those who knew her can fondly recollect her drawing, painting, singing, making jewelry, writing poems, and even creating shadow boxes and maps. There was an innate desire inside her to travel to new places, try new foods, and invest in new experiences. Some of these she enjoyed alongside her family due to her husband’s career in the airlines. She was a true self starter. A Stargirl. Her legacy is one of perseverance, spontaneity, whimsy, and unity.

She is survived by her husband of fifty years, Jess E. Kelley, two daughters, Cheryl Kelley-Scheven of Tacoma, WA, and Deanna (Dee) Benton of Tumwater, WA, and son, Jess Patrick (J.P.) Kelley of Vancouver, WA, as well as by her four granddaughters, Kristen Huecksteadt of Folsom, CA and her husband, Pete, Brittney Scheven, of Sacramento, CA, Faith Benton of Tumwater, and Rachel Benton of Tumwater, and by her sister, Gloria Butler, and brother, Ron Miller.

Her spirit, which longed for peace, away from the pains of her physical body, now finally finds rest, perhaps in a glorious place much like the one described in the immortal lyrics of one of her favorite songs:
"The silver moon
and the evening tide,
Oh, some sweet day
gonna take away
this hurting inside.
Well, I’ll never be blue,
My dreams come true,
On Blue Bayou..."

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