Carolyn "Cissy" Helen Shelly, 74

Carolyn Helen Shelly, 74, of Coeur d'Alene, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 14, 2014, from respiratory failure. While this was not expected, she had been struggling to get back on her feet after her heart attack in July without success.

Carolyn was born in Sacramento, Calif., on July 16, 1940, to Helen and Albert Bondi. She was married in September 1956 to Calvin Depner (Cornehl), moving to Washington in 1959. They resided in Everett, Wash., with their four children.

After her divorce, fast forward to 1978; Carolyn met and married James R. Shelly, Sr., blending the families for a total of seven children. They picked up and moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, and then finally to their dream home on the prairie in Coeur d'Alene, enjoying 28-plus years of love and an active family life.

Carolyn was employed for many years with General Telephone Company (GTE). Her career started in Everett in 1962, and she retired in Coeur d'Alene in 1993.

She was very proud to be part of opening the Michaels Arts & Crafts store in the Silver Lake Plaza, where she worked until 2009. This was truly where her passion laid.

Carolyn was an active woman, fun loving and a great friend to everyone she met. She worked hard all her life, often sacrificing her needs for others. Her sense of humor and positive outlook were contagious. She would offer words of wisdom to anyone seeking guidance. She would listen to anyone needing an ear. She was always someone you could count on. She had a strong work ethic and instilled it in her children.

Carolyn enjoyed a variety of things throughout her life - the outdoors, hiking, boating and fishing the shores of Sunnyside with the family. She was very crafty, and loved to knit and crochet, which she did until the end despite her rheumatoid hands.

Over the years Carolyn dabbled in stained glass, basket weaving, candle and soap making, cross stitch, quilt making, woodworking, scrapbooking, stamping and card making, toll painting, cake decorating, even flower arranging and more. She also loved antiques and collecting.

Carolyn's home was often referred to as the "Magic Farm" because she loved animals. Over the years she had horses, goats, chickens, dogs and cats (including barn cats). The wildlife that visited her yard was abundant and always a treat to see when she looked out her windows. Over the years she would have deer, pheasant, quail, an occasional moose, a porcupine, skunks, squirrels, bunnies and the guinea hens from down the street. She didn't mind her garden getting raided by the wildlife and often commented that she planted it for them.

Carolyn and James enjoyed many vacations to Mexico, the Oregon coast and Canada, which they always shared with friends and family.

Preceding Carolyn in death was her beloved husband, James R. Shelly, Sr. on Dec. 24, 2012; and her youngest son Christopher B. Depner on Feb. 26, 2012.

Carolyn is survived by six children: Cheryl Schneider of Coeur d'Alene, Calvin Craig (Jan) Cornehl of Spokane, Wash., Cindy Depner of Hayden, Jimmy (June) Shelly of Post Falls, Julie Shelly of Post Falls, and Kim Beasley of Newman Lake, Wash.; seven grandchildren: Brandon Schneider, Austin Schneider, Anthony Cornehl, Aspen Shelly, Wyatt Shelly, Harley Shelly and Elisa (Chris) Falkenhagen; great-grandchildren Taylee and Klohe Falkenhagen; her brother Bradley (Vicky) Bondi of Modesto, Calif., and sister Marietta (Ron) Hudson of Elk Grove, Calif. Carolyn "Cissy" leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and cousins that she loved and cared about very much. Her nieces and their families have meant the world to her and have always been an important part of her life: Deanise (Doug) Killingsworth, Sabrina (Bob) Bailey and Pam (Dan) Killingsworth. She is also survived by her sisters in-law Carol, Connie, Patti, Debbie and Terry, who have felt more like sisters to her over the years.

Thank you to Crest Home Health for guiding us through the last few months. Thank you and your staff Dr. Chisholm, Dr. Robinson, Dr. Wiessenhutter, and Dr. Hoopman.

Please join us in celebrating Carolyn's life at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at English Funeral Chapel, 1700 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, Idaho.

English Funeral Chapel of Post Falls has been entrusted with the final arrangements. Please sign Carolyn's guest registry and view her online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.