Edith May Shelley

Edith May Shelley, 91 of Sonoma passed away April 16, 2020 at her home under the care of her family and Hospice.

Edith was born in the town of Schley, Merrill Wisconsin on December 20, 1928 to the late Dora and Clarence Heald.  She moved to Sonoma as a young girl with her family in the mid 40’s, and graduated from Sonoma Valley High School in 1946.  She married Burton E Shelley on August 27, 1947.   He preceded her in death on March 7, 1990 after 42 years of marriage. Together they raised 6 children.

Edith trained as a bookkeeper and enjoyed working at the Sonoma Cheese Factory for the Vella and Viviani families, as well as other long time Sonoma establishments including Stornetta’s Dairy.  She also babysat for many Sonoma families.  It was while working at the Sonoma Cheese Factory that she met her husband to be, Burt.  Among many other joys in her life, Edith volunteered as a Sunday School teacher at the First Congregational Church in Sonoma, she was a Cub Scout Den Mother, and a volunteer for the Braille Guild where she transcribed books into Braille for the visually impaired.  She had a passion for sewing, making quilts, gardening, reading, baking and cooking. She loved opening her home to family and friends for reunions, holidays and other family gatherings.

Edith is survived by: her children Barbara (Joe) Polak, Larry (Karen) Shelley, Lea (Kerry) Shelley, Daniel Shelley, Pamela Shelley, and Daughter-in-law Bernadette Shelley;  4 grandchildren, Jason (Kayla) Shelley, Yana Shelley, Jordan Shelley, and Branden (Megan) Shelley; and 6 great-grandchildren Elijah, Sophia, Jaxson, Gage, Aelene, and Leandra; sister-in-law Lois Mathews and brother-in-law Charles Villarreal; and many cherished and beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Burt , son Michael, mother and father-in-law Lea and Edna Shelley, and siblings Bertha Hehling, Milton Heald, Marjorie Heald, and Robert Heald, and in-laws Norman Shelley, Nancy Byers, and Joan Villarreal.

In lieu of flowers memorials in Edith’s name may be made to Hospice of Petaluma.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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