Marian K. Shelly

Marian K. (nee Miller) Shelly, longtime Primos resident Marian Shelly passed away on Feb. 13, 2013, in the comfort of family after a long and valiant fight with Parkinson's Disease and Osteoporosis. She was born Jan. 9, 1926 in Bloomsburg, to John Wesley and Ethel (nee Splain) Miller. She grew up with her sister Mae in Southwest Philadelphia and attended John Bartrum High School where she was the president of the Equestrian Club. Marian worked at the Farm Journal for sixteen years until she left to begin her family. She and her husband moved to a split level home in Primos when the new neighborhood was first being developed. She went on to become actively involved in the Primos Civic Association and the Primos Elementary School PTA where she served as president and vice president. Marian met her husband, Raymond L. Shelly while the two were in junior high school. He would steal one of her two hair ribbons. Later, when he returned from serving in the Navy during World War II he ran into Marian. He was still in uniform shopping for "civvies" and he secured a date. When he arrived at her house, he presented her with a cigar box full of single pressed ribbons he had kept since junior high school. Marian and Ray took up square dancing when Ray retired and danced with two clubs; 'Sashay' and 'Allamande'. They danced for over fifteen years and travelled to square dance events from Nova Scotia to Bermuda, where they participated and showcased, until their health prevented either of them from continuing. Ray passed away in August 2007, ten days after her beloved sister Mae passed away. Marian's Parkinson's was diagnosed two years later. She leaves behind her children, Kevin Shelly and Karen (Joseph) Shelly-Genther; grandchildren, Erin (Mickey) Genther Henry, Carla Genther, and Katie Shelly; great-granddaughters, Isabella Henry and Lily North-Henry. Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 1st, at O'Leary Funeral Home, 640 E. Springfield Road, Springfield, PA 19064. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Delaware County SPCA, 555 Sandy Bank Road, Media, PA. 19063.