Shelley Jo Bolyard

1951 - 2024

Caldwell - Shelley Jo Bolyard passed away at her home in Caldwell, Idaho, on November 1, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Baker City, Oregon, on June 21, 1951 to Patricia Cook and Darrell Turner.

After her parents divorced, Shelley moved to Rupert, Idaho, with her mother and lived with her grandparents. Her mother married George Redford, who formally adopted Shelley.

When she was in junior high, the family moved to Boise where Shelley attended school and graduated from Borah High School in 1969. While in high school she was a dedicated Lion and a member of the yearbook staff, pep club, and French club, and worked at Casper's Drugstore. Shelley often talked about how much she loved working on Christmas Eve because she could sell anything to anyone. After attending some classes at Boise State Junior College, she moved to Salt Lake City and began work as a bank teller.

Shelley married Dennis Bolyard on May 26, 1973 in Ketchum, Idaho. They moved to Pocatello, Idaho, and welcomed two children: Patrick and Brandon.

In 1980, the family moved to Twin Falls, and Shelley began working as the office manager at Snake River Bean. She stayed with the company, which later became ADM, until her retirement. After she and Dennis retired, they moved to Caldwell, Idaho, to be closer to family.

Shelley loved crafts and spent much of her life doing cross stitch and making paper flowers and cards. She loved making paper flower arrangements with her dear friends Cheryl Strolberg and Ginger Butler, and they sold many of these to raise money for Relay for Life and Bill's Place.

In addition to crafting, Shelley loved reading and traveling. She and her husband spent many vacations with "the race gang" going to Nascar races in Las Vegas and spending time at the Oregon Coast. Shelley and Dennis often talked about how much they also enjoyed their trips to Maui. Shelley loved everything about the ocean and loved spending time whale-watching, visiting lighthouses, and walking on the beach.

In retirement, Shelley enjoyed spending time at the Caldwell YMCA doing water aerobics and volunteering for the Book It Forward program. Shelley also worked as a poll worker in Canyon County. This volunteer work brought her great joy and created lasting friendships.

In May 2023, Shelley and Dennis celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Shelley wanted to be remembered as a kind person who was very proud of her family and the life she and Dennis had created for them. She was generous with her kindness and always put others before herself.

Shelley was preceded in death by her husband Dennis Bolyard; parents George Redford, Patricia Burton, Darrell Turner; step-mother Laurie Turner; and nephew Samuel Redford.

She is survived by her son Patrick (Rana) Bolyard; son Brandon Bolyard; granddaughter Ciara Bolyard; brother Jeff Redford; brother Monte Turner; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to thank Dawn Simmons and Lisa Rhodes, who provided loving and gentle support for Shelley, as well as Idaho Home Health and Hospice, who supported Shelley and the family in her final days.

A celebration of life will be held at the Nampa Civic Center on November 15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a children's book to be donated to Book It Forward in Shelley's honor.

In lieu of flowers, Shelley's family asks that donations be made to Book It Forward at https://www.idahovoices.org/action/book-it-forward/.