Shelley Ann White took her last earthside breaths to the sounds of Aretha Franklin. She spent her final years and days surrounded by loved ones, with her husband of 52 years, close friends, and children at her side, and with the giggles and voices of her grandchildren in the background, giggles that she always returned, even through Alzheimer’s.

Shelley was born and raised in Salem, Oregon, where she married Jim in 1974 and had both of her kids, Sam (1986) and Lanie (1990). After Sam was born, Shelley stayed home with her kids for 12 years, years that she always referred to as some of the absolute best of her life. In 1996, the family moved to Montana, where Shelley began her career as a paraeducator at Helena Public Schools.

Before her retirement in 2016, she worked in the library at Helena Middle School, where she was known for always evoking laughter and fun. One minute you might find her scheming to pull a harmless but hilarious prank to bring together those around her and the next supporting a student through her kind and steady presence during their most formative and vulnerable experiences.

After retirement, Shelley focused on her friendships, her grandkids, and chasing her children to support their musical pursuits where she, of course, was the first on the dance floor whenever given the opportunity.

These details wove together her life, but the breadth of her personhood was so much more. Shelley approached life with deliberate joy. She made people laugh, danced and sang her way through hard times, cared deeply for everyone around her, and was a magnet for kids because of her unabashed silliness and love. She was a wonderful mother, who taught her two kids, and so many others, how to live joyfully. She was innately nurturing, and it was impossible to be around her and not feel cared for.

To make a long story short, as Shelley would often say, she loved deeply, she was loved deeply, and she will be missed beyond measure. But, if you were lucky enough to know her, you also know that the best way to honor her life is to laugh with someone, dance your heart out, or give a helping hand to those who could use some support.

Shelley is survived by her husband, Jim White, her two children, Sam White (Krysta) and Lanie Sund (Andy) and her four, soon to be five, grandchildren – Henry, Adela, Remy, and Oliver Sund and new baby White. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her honor to Angel Fund, a local organization that helps connect school kids with items they need, or Helena Food Share.

A celebration of life will be held on June 13, 2026. All are welcome. Please contact Sam or Lanie for details.