Shirley Jean Shelby
June 23, 1940 - February 15, 2018

Shirley Jean (Freeman) Shelby, 77, was surrounded by her children and husband when she passed away peacefully after a long struggle with respiratory illness at her home in Arizona.

She was born to Benjamin and Hattie Freeman on June 23, 1940 and was proud to call the south side of Chicago her childhood home. Dedicated to her studies at Holy Angels Catholic School and Wendell Phillips High School, Shirley was offered a full scholarship from Illinois State University, but instead began a lifelong journey with the marriage to her high school sweetheart, Robert J. Shelby Jr.

They moved to Colorado 45 years ago, when Robert was assigned to the United States Air Force Academy. Medical reasons required her to seek a lower elevation so they moved to Arizona in 2016. Shirley was employed with federal civil service and the El Paso County Treasurer’s Office as an accountant. Additionally, she was a successful realtor before retiring in 2002.

A devout Catholic, Shirley ministered Holy Communion and made rosaries for the sick, home bound, and prison inmates. An avid Broncos fan, she looked forward to football season every year. Shirley enjoyed fishing, gardening, crocheting, quilting, and putting together jigsaw puzzles.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Benjamin and Hattie Freeman, and is survived by her husband Robert; children Robert III, Cynthia (Christopher) and Karen (Robert); grandchildren Joshua and Shelby Pylkka, Ashlee, Zachary and Nicholas Donels; siblings Dorothy, Judith, Janice, Antoinette, Benjamin, and
numerous nephews and nieces.

Visitation and Vigil will be at Evergreen Funeral Home, 1830 E. Fountain Boulevard, Friday, February 23rd from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. with Rosary to follow from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, 11020 Teachout Road, Black Forest, CO., 80908, Saturday, February 24th at 10:00 a.m.