Shelba Jean Angel's Obituary
Shelba Jean Angel, 81, of Strongsville, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 26th, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease for more than 25 years, and dementia in the last few years. She is finally at peace.
Shelba was born on April 13, 1945, in Ashford, West Virginia, to the late Dessie and Edgar Elkins. She loved her family deeply and found her greatest joy in time spent with her daughters and granddaughters.
Though she was a small little thing, Shelba was a fighter and one of the strongest people her family ever knew. She had more falls than anyone could count, broke her neck twice, and carried the bruises and bumps that came with it, but no matter what, she got right back up and kept going. That same fierce, feisty spirit made her gorgeous and larger than life, right to the end.
She was, first and always, "Grandma," the one whose house had no rules, where the oatmeal cream pies and raspberry iced tea never ran out, and where summers felt like something out of a movie: catching fireflies in the backyard, shopping trips because she always wanted to get you "something nice," and an unlimited supply of treats for dinner because everyone knew the rules simply didn't apply at Grandma's house.
She was the "Hi Honey" on the other end of the phone. The sweet voicemail left just to check in. The birthday call that always ended in her singing to you. She wanted to know everything going on in your life, not out of obligation, but because she genuinely couldn't get enough of the people she loved. Her laugh could fill a room, and her hugs made you feel safe and comforted like nothing else could.
She loved to dance, especially to "Boot Scootin' Boogie," and she never lost her love for the thrill of the casino, or for rolling toward another strike among the dozens and dozens of bowling trophies that lined her home. She loved shopping, karaoke, and a good sweet treat or bag of chips more than almost anything. Her red velvet cake and her scrambled eggs were, without argument, the best anyone ever had. Her bright blue eyes beamed with joy, her nails were always painted just so, and even in her later years, trying on her old wigs and dresses from when she was young could bring her whole face back to life as she relived those memories.
She showed up: to school events, to lazy afternoons on the gazebo, to camping trips when her grandchildren were small, to the moment her granddaughter found her wedding dress, and even, eventually, to loving a dog named Charlie, which, for a woman who never liked dogs, said everything about how much bigger her heart kept growing with time.
After losing her husband, Shelba spent her final three years at Western Reserve, a memory care facility in Medina, Ohio, where she had to be watched closely, since the moment anyone turned their back, she was up and off on an adventure. The nurses and aides who cared for her became like family, and she made them laugh daily, often helping herself to whatever lunch they'd brought from home. When word spread that she was nearing the end, staff came by on their own time, even on their days off, just to say goodbye to a woman they had come to love.
Through it all, her light and her love shined so brightly, and that is how her family will remember her.
Our hearts are broken, and she has taken a piece of them with her. She was so much more than a mother and grandmother; she was a best friend, a confidant, a cheerleader, and the truest example of unconditional love any of us have ever known. Life without her feels almost impossible to imagine, and this goodbye is the hardest one we have ever had to say. She will be missed every single day, in all the small ways and the big ones, but we find comfort in knowing she is finally at peace, surrounded by so much love, and no longer suffering.
She is survived by her daughters, Natalie (Marc) Anguilano and Gina (Melissa) Angel; granddaughters, Marisa (Kyle) Gray and Briana Anguilano; sisters Kathy (Bobby) Harper and Peggy Riggs; brothers Otto (Naomi) Elkins, Jerry (Sue) Elkins, Jack (Beth) Elkins, and Gary (Sarah) Elkins; and many nieces, nephews, and friends who loved her dearly.
In lieu of flowers, contributions will be used to express our family's gratitude to the nurses, aides, and staff whose compassion, kindness, and dedication brought comfort and care to Shelba throughout her time in memory care.
Thank you for helping us honor those who cared so deeply for her. Please use the link below:
https://everloved.com/life-of/shelba-angel/donate/
A private viewing and graveside service will be held. A Celebration of Life will follow at a later date, on Sunday, August 23rd; time and location to be announced. Shelba will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park's Pinewood Garden Mausoleum in North Olmsted, Ohio.
She's finally at peace, dancing with Elvis, bowling her heart out, and hitting the jackpot in heaven at last. What a blessing and privilege it was to know a love like hers.
We love you forever and always, Shelba Jean.
What’s your fondest memory of Shelba?
What’s a lesson you learned from Shelba?
Share a story where Shelba's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Shelba you’ll never forget.
How did Shelba make you smile?
