Mira Lee Shelton

 Mira Lee Shelton, age 74, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on August 13, 2018 after a courageous five-year battle with cancer.  Mira Lee was born into a military family in Newark, New Jersey on July 21, 1944. Growing up military, she moved often. In 1962, the family moved to Bossier City, Louisiana where she ultimately met the love of her life, Wayne Shelton. They graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. in 1966. She earned her Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education. Wayne entered the U.S. Air Force, sworn into service by Mira's dad Col. Edward H. Hill Jr. Mira and Wayne married on Oct. 1, 1966.  As a military wife, Mira followed Wayne wherever the Air Force sent him. She managed nine moves and set up house and home in Texas, Colorado, Washington D.C., California, Texas again, Alabama, Nebraska, and Germany before settling in Albuquerque in 1984.  Mira was a dedicated and gifted elementary school teacher. Her teaching career spans years of teaching in Del Rio, TX.; Bellevue, NE.; Alexandria, VA.; DOD system in Germany and the Albuquerque Public Schools at Sandia Base Elementary where she was loved and treasured by her students and families. She had a huge heart for her children at school.  Mira and Wayne had two daughters, Leslie born in 1969 in Sacramento, CA. and Valerie born in Ft. Worth, TX. in 1973. Her family was her priority and she became a great cook and a tender, loving mother and wife. Living in Germany, the family took up downhill skiing where they traversed the Swiss Alps. They continued skiing in New Mexico and Colorado and Mira and Wayne enjoyed ski trips with MOAA Ski Group from Albuquerque.  Ballooning became their next passion when they became crew members of the Buffoon Balloon Platoon and soon purchased their own hot air balloon, "Miwa's Waynebow", in 1988. Joining the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon culture, they made many new friends and traveled to balloon rallies in TX., WY., CO., AL., OH., and OK. Retiring "Waynebow" in 2011, a new adventure was in store for Mira and Wayne!  They became Grandparents to Thomas Hall on September 11, 2015 and Barren Speer on August 12, 2016. Mira was a joyous, loving, and devoted Grandma to her boys. Mira and Wayne enjoyed taking trips to the Northwest to share vacations at the beach and the mountains to have quality time with the families. Sunday "facetime" phone calls became her routine.   Diagnosed with cancer in 2013, the battle began! Sadly, the battle was over on Monday morning, August 13, 2018 with her daughters, grandsons, husband, and sister by her side.