Carolyn Rose Shelby, 89, Bradenton, Florida, died on Friday, December 4, 2020 at Morning Breeze Assisted Living Center, Greensburg, Indiana following last rites in the presence of her daughter, Sandra K. McLean. She passed peacefully. Her husband, Donald W. Shelby, whom she married on April 9, 1947 passed away in Bradenton, Florida on February 23, 2006.
Born, January 1, 1931 in Indianapolis, Indiana, she was the daughter of Michael and Dorothea Raftery. She was the 4th of seven children, Dorothy, Betty, Patty, Michael, Carolyn, Ruth, and Margaret oldest to youngest. She is survived by her younger sister, Margaret (Peggy) Havlin and her Sister-in-Law, Joann Raftery. Carolyn is also survived by her daughter, Sandra K. McLean of Lake Santee, and sons Donald W. Shelby II (Danette) of Greensburg and Timothy Paul Andrew Shelby (Darla Hood) of Bradenton, Florida. She had three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She loved and was loved by all.
Early on she worked with her husband at the Wm. H. Block Co. as one of the famous elevator girls which was akin to being an airline stewardess in those days. She then worked in various administrative positions around Indianapolis. She was a Cub Scout Den mother and later became a house mother at Kappa Sig Fraternity and Chi Omega Sorority at IU Bloomington followed by Phi Delta Theta Fraternity at Butler University in Indianapolis. She loved people.
Carolyn and Don moved to Lake Santee outside of Greensburg, Indiana in 1968 where they were very active conducting Recreation activities for the community. Carolyn was the Founding Treasurer of the Lake Santee Smoke Signals monthly newsletter sent to all members.
Upon retirement she and her husband moved to Royal Gardens, Bradenton, Florida and then into Seabreeze Mobile Home Estates in the same community. Carolyn was very involved and well liked wherever she lived playing the kazoo in the “Kitchen Band”, calling Bingo, and serving as Treasurer of the park. She was usually the life of the party and loved to sing and dance. Indeed, she sang in the Choir for over 10 years at Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Catholic Church in Bradenton, Florida.
While observing CDC and state guidelines for social distancing and required facial coverings, there will be a Rosary at 9:00 a.m. with visitation from 9:20-11 followed by a Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greensburg, Indiana with Rev. Bill Ehalt officiating. The mass will be shown live on the funeral home Facebook page.
Memorials may be made to the North Gate Landscaping Project at Lake Santee where a tree will be planted with a plaque in honor of Donald and Carolyn Shelby. Thank you! Online condolences can be made to the family at www.popfuneralhome.com