Rochelle Ann Shelman

Rochelle Shelly A. Shelman (April 7, 1959 to June 20, 2015) Rochelle Shelly Ann Shelman went home to be with God, her Father, and Savior, Christ Jesus on June 20th due to a short but hard-fought battle with cancer in Olympia, WA. She was born on April 7, 1959 in Minot, North Dakota to her parents, Patricia and Lawrence Briggs and later moved to Onalaska, WA where she was raised and attended school for most of her childhood. Shelly attended Onalaska High School and college at Western Washington University (WWU) where she received her BA and teaching certificate in Spanish Education. While at college Shelly attended the INN College Ministry, Campus Christian Fellowship, and Hillcrest Chapel. At WWU, Shelly met her husband and best friend, Richard Shelman, and was married for 31 years, until her death. For the first part of their marriage, they lived in Bellingham, WA for 18 years, where they had three beautiful children, Davielle Kelly, Katrina Larson, and Josiah Shelman, whom Shelly dearly loved and made her heart swell with joy. Shelly and Richard then moved to Olympia, WA in 1998 where they made their home and attended Calvary Chapel of Olympia and where she mentored many young women in Calvary Chapels Youth Ministry. Shelly was an ambassador for Christs love at heart. She had so many missionary adventures and together she would take youth groups and students to different orphanages, schools, churches and communities; to places in Mxico, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Peru, and Poland. There is not enough space to tell the stories about these rich times for - not only Shelly - but for her family and all the friends that went together with her. At Calvary Chapel, Shelly taught the women (affectionately called the Steel Magnolias by our family) at The Womens Evening Bible Study (WEB). Shelly loved the Lord with all her heart, mind, soul, and strength, which she experienced when God ignited her soul through Scriptures. In Scriptures, Shelly received Gods own self-disclosure of Who God was and is; what God has done and how then we are to listen to understand, interact, dialogue and respond to our living God in Scriptures, both then and now to the realities we face in our own time and world. Shelly intently read, studied, and listened to hear the words of Christ, which the present Holy Spirit would spark inspiration in her to speak the relevant truths from the living and present God to those women whom she dearly loved. Throughout Shellys career, she taught Spanish for the Christian Home School Association and Sunrise Beach School. She also taught Spanish in the Yelm and Tumwater School Districts. Shelly ended her teaching career at Winlock School District last February due to cancer. At Winlock, Shelly truly felt valued and supported by all, which allowed her to value, support, and love the students at Winlock. Shelly was thankful and grateful to you, Brian, Dennis, Gayla, Shannon, and to all the staff and students in your care for her. Shellys wide open arms were symbolic of her wide open heart of love and care for her own children and for her many nieces and nephews; from the Penrose boys to the students she taught. The scripture poignantly captures Shellys heart, who like Christ, Let the little children come, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Shelly was often witty and wise; at times, snarky yet in a humorous, truthful, and loving way. Mom loved you, Davielle and Joey Kelly, Katrina and Jesse Larson, and she loved you, Josiah Paul Shelman. Shelly, would leap and bound for the front door when any one of her children entered. She would greet them with wide open arms, a big smile while yelling, Youre home, youre home! It amplifies the very heart of God our Father, who says in Scriptures I lead them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love, who lifts a little child to the cheek. Shelly loved all those who survived her. She loved you, her parents, Pat and Larry Briggs. She loved all her sisters, their spouses, and her brother: Erin and Mike McQuigg and you, Tony and Mary Lou Briggs. She loved you, Pam Briggs, and you, Mary and Bob Carrick, and loved you, Shawn and Randy Apperson. Shelly loved all her nieces and nephews: She loved you, Megan and Mike Fabiani, you, Matt and Janice Briggs. She loved you, Amy and Steve Legg and you, Jenny and Gabe Hamilton. She loved you, Darius and Christian Carrick, and loved you, Jaime and Shauna, and loved you, Nikki Ivory Moen. She loved you the Apperson clan, Ryan (and wife to be, Kiersten!), Brandon, Austen, and Lauryn. And too, she loved you, Penrose boys, Alan, Andrew, and Alex and you, parents, Jen and Dan. Shellys prayer is you all would continue to live out your daily lives in a loving faith by fully putting your life into the trusted hands of God our Father, the Creator of all things, who uniquely formed you in the womb with such intimate attention, detail, and purpose. That you all would seek Christ our Savior, the Fathers treasured son who he gave up for us all. By Christ breaking into our world in love and sacrifice, gave his life to take away the curse of death so that we might have life, life abundantly. Therefore, our chief aim is to love, enjoy, and to know God, and to love one another and others for ever. Finally, in the many threats to life, Christ has given us a peace and understanding beyond any material well-being and anything we can ever manage on our own. God desires to make a home in our hearts and bring us to eternity for which we were wired for from the beginning. Where the good things and adventures of this life are mere appetizers of the life and adventures that will truly come, especially now for Shelly! Come celebrate with us Shellys life and legacy in Christ at Calvary Chapel of Olympia on Saturday, July 11th at 1:00pm in the main sanctuary. Calvary Chapel is located on 919 Division Street NW, Olympia, WA 98502. The family and Shelly request that you do not send flowers but instead please make a donation to University Christian Ministries (checks payable to UCM) with a separate note designating the donation to the Kellys ministry, in memory of Shelly Shelman. Donations can be mailed to University Christian Ministries at 1400 Larrabee Ave, Bellingham WA, 98255.