Michelle (Shelly) Atkins, 60

In Loving Memory of Michelle (Shelly) Atkins

Nov. 16, 1961 - Jan. 28, 2022

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear, sweet Shelly due to recurring ovarian cancer that unfortunately she dealt with for more than 16+ years. She was only 60 years young when she went to be with the Lord. Shelly passed away peacefully at her home in Post Falls, Idaho, on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, surrounded by her loving family and lifelong best friends. Shelly was born to Pete and Sharon Harness on Nov. 16, 1961, in Memphis, Tenn. She was the fourth of five daughters, and was raised in a very loving home in Paxton, Ill., by her absolutely amazing mother. Shelly was naturally beautiful, she loved animals a lot, she was also very athletic and a very hard worker, taking pride and excelling in most everything she did.

She is survived by her devoted and loving partner of 22 years Ray Thom, and her beloved daughter Heidi Nicole Larkin, and her partner Rachel Uecke, her wonderful bonus son Josh Vissia, and family including five grandchildren, and a second wonderful bonus son Edgar Diaz, and (Christina). Shelly is also survived by four sisters, Peggy (Mike) Withers of Rankin Ill., Christy (Ronnie) Smith of McCondy, Miss., Sheri (Don) DeLesdernier of Post Falls, Idaho, and Julie (Rex) Clark also of Post Falls, Idaho, along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, also lifelong best friends Cindy (Briggs) Benedict, Lori (Briggs) Rose, Bonnie Burton, Marsha (Burton) Barbato who are bonus family as well, along with many more beloved friends.

She was predeceased by her mother, Sharon Marie Harness, father Peter Michael Harness, grandparents Wendell and Sue Ellen Nelson, Clyde and Emily Harness, Evelyn Bethel Singleton, uncle Jim Nelson, aunt Jeri Nelson, aunt Lori Nelson Strube, uncle Phil Harness and a great-niece Kalli King.

Shelly was devoted to her loyal and longtime partner, Ray Thom, whom she loved very much. They worked very hard together on their home and properties making them their own. They were always accompanied by their beloved dogs, who are more like their children than their actual pets. They enjoyed lots of things together such as ATV riding, fishing, camping and especially their occasional trips to the casino. Also, Shelly was an avid gardener, which she absolutely loved, and always enjoyed.

Family was everything to Shelly. She loved us all but she especially treasured her only daughter, Heidi Nicole, whom she lived and breathed for, and was beyond an excellent and loyal mother to her always. She was definitely a loyal sister as well even going so far as insisting on going to work with her sister at 2 a.m. in the morning to make deliveries so her sister wouldn’t have to go alone. What a big and kind heart she had. She loved to help people, once even giving an elderly pizza delivery driver a $100 tip because she felt compassion for her, and another time giving her neighbor her last $50 so her neighbor could get some groceries. She always did things like that. That was our Shelly. She was an absolute blessing, and precious gift to us all and we will all always miss her terribly until we meet her again.

We will be holding a celebration of life in Shelly's honor at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, at Kiwanis Park in Higgins Pavilion. The address is 4176 E. Weatherby Ave., Post Falls, Idaho, with a BBQ/potluck being at 1 p.m., and her service being at 2 p.m. Please bring a side dish if possible, and come and join us in celebrating the life of our beautiful and amazing Shelly.