Elaine Shelley

On Thursday, May 14, 2020, Elaine Marie (Doughman) Shelley, passed away at the age of 67 from pancreatic cancer.

She was born on June 17, 1952 in Greeley, Colorado to Howard and Irene (Neill) Doughman.  Elaine received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from University of Northern Colorado in 1974.  She served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Guatemala and El Salvador from 1974-1976. In January of 1979, she met Craig Alan Shelley.  After their first date of put-put golf Craig won her over when he washed all her roommates’ dirty dishes. On their second date Craig cheered her on as she creamed him at a game of bowling. They married on June 7, 1980 in the Mesa Arizona Temple.

As newlyweds they moved to Rochester, New York, where Craig worked at Eastman Kodak and Elaine was a stay-at-home mother.  While in Rochester, they had their first four children: Alinda, Jay, April, and Paul. They also started their own company, Softshell, and later moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, so they could be closer to extended family.  Their last child, Karen, was born soon after and completed their earthly family.

Throughout her life, Elaine was passionate about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, serving others, spending time with family, researching family history, and quilting. She fulfilled her childhood dream of going to Peru when she and Craig backpacked for four days on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu at the age of 61.  Together, Craig and Elaine served a mission in the California Irvine Mission from 2014 to 2016, as mission secretaries. When they returned, they did a mission from home, for the Publishing Services Department, taking photos for church publications. After Elaine was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given a grim prognosis, she made a list of goals, which included seeing the births of three granddaughters, experiencing the live production of Les Miserables, and performing saving ordinances for her ancestors in the temple. With prayers, miracles, much perseverance, and aid from loved ones, she accomplished her three goals.

Elaine was preceded in death by her mother, Irene.  She is survived by her husband Craig, her five children, Alinda, Jay (Stephanie), April (Jake), Paul (Natasha), and Karen, her father Howard, and siblings Linda (Dennis) and Dale (Janice).

A special thanks to the loving care of Dr. Greg Chipman, Jayme Covington, Danielle Downs, and Madi Guest with Utah Cancer Specialists.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom:
https://zoom.us/j/94277813122?pwd=aWFtRTR3YzlxaGZVN1Q3cFB6NGJBZz09

Meeting ID: 942 7781 3122
Password: 4atTm0

. Please wait to join the meeting until 10:45 a.m. and allow device audio. Please mute upon entry.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, May 19 from 6-8 pm at Anderson & Sons Mortuary Lone Peak Chapel, 6141 West 11000 North, Highland. To comply with Covid-19 regulation, please see the electronic SignUp Genius button below to attend Elaine’s viewing at an assigned time.