It is with great sadness that the family of Shelley Schafer, 64, announce her passing on May 15, 2018 in her home.
Shelley was born in Miles City, Montana and graduated from Custer County High School. She attended Eastern Montana College and later moved to Anaconda with her family. Shelley was talented in all things crafty and loved to knit. She attended and participated in craft bazaars throughout Montana, including Alive After Five in Anaconda. She also loved to bake and can food which she gladly shared jellies, relishes and baked goods with all her friends, family and acquaintances.
Shelley worked as a Recess monitor and Lunchroom Aid for Lincoln School and W.K. Dwyer School for over twenty years. Shelley was diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer in September 2017 and successfully received six rounds of chemotherapy. Her positive attitude and will to live during this time contributed to the news that her liver cancer was in remission as of January 2018. She was thrilled and continued with her healthy outlook on life. Shelley was generous to all, kind hearted and a strong woman. Shelley was the epitome of a survivor.
Shelley was a member of the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church and loved animals. But, the thing that brought the most joy to her life and heart were her two daughters and her grandchildren.
Shelley was preceded in death by her mother, Colleen Marinkovich; grandmother, Susie Elmore; uncle, Bobby Marinkovich.
Shelley is survived by her daughters, Susie Schafer and Jennifer Dodson-Cantu; grandchildren, Alyssa and T.J. Matteson and Angelynn, Landon, Lainey and Benjamin Dodson-Cantu; father Dan Marinkovich; sisters; Kane Boyce and her husband Pete, Johnna Kovacich and her husband John, Jaimie Marinkovich, Danette Shirley and her husband Bob; former husband Ron Schafer.
Shelley's funeral service will be held at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home, 107 Oak Street, Anaconda, on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 11 a.m. Father Russell Radoicich will officiate the services. Visitation will occur prior to the service at 10 a.m.
Graveside service will follow at Upper Hill Cemetery
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the donor's choice.
Visitation
MAY 24. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (MDT)
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home
107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Funeral Service
MAY 24. 11:00 AM (MDT)
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home
107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711