Darlene K. Shelly, 85

Darlene Krauss Shelly, 85, passed away peacefully at her home in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Sept. 17, 2010, surrounded by her family.

She was born on Feb. 5, 1925, in Palm, Pa., the daughter of Alvin R. Shelly and Mabel S. (Krauss) Shelly. She graduated from Souderton High School in 1943, and married Harvey L. Ott in 1944, with whom she enjoyed 54 years of marriage until his death in 1998.

Surviving are her children, Janet C. Ott and her partner Joanne Kotjan of Bellingham, Wash., Stanley R. Ott and his wife Judith of Lansdale, Pa., and Jeanelle Shields and her husband, Arnold (Jack) Dreier of Hope, Idaho. Additionally, she is survived by three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, U. Elmer Shelly, Arthur Shelly, and Richard Shelly, as well as her sister, Margaret Alcott.

Due to culture and circumstances, she was unable to take advantage of a college scholarship offered, concentrating instead on becoming a wife and mother. After seeing to completion her children's college and graduate educations, she acquired licenses to sell securities, insurance, and real estate and became a licensed masseuse, all within two years. Continuing her life-long passion for learning, she became a scholar in theology, nutrition, and natural remedies. She was committed to a life of service and teaching. Organizations to which she contributed her talents included The Salvation Army, The Children's Aid Society of Montgomery County, and, most recently, as a co-facilitator for Life Skills Northwest, an organization that encourages personal growth, healthy relationships, and life management skills.

Darlene's faith was less denominational than it was a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Raised a Mennonite, she was a long-time member of Calvary Church of Souderton prior to relocating to Idaho in 2002. There, she was a member of the Sandpoint United Methodist Church and participated regularly at Gardenia Sunday Services in Sandpoint. In 2007, she became an ordained minister through the Church of Religious Science, along with her daughter, Jeanelle. She will be remembered by her family and many friends for her philanthropy, generosity of spirit, intellectual curiosity, devout Christianity, gracious hospitality and kind nature.

A Sunday service will be held at the Gardenia Center in Sandpoint, Idaho, in her honor on Dec. 5. 2010, followed by a potluck celebration. Those wishing to make a contribution to her memory are encouraged to send it to Life Skills Northwest of Sandpoint, Idaho, 2023 Sandpoint West Drive, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 (www.lifeskillsnw.org) as she believed emotional health was vital to one's spiritual health.