Shelley Marie Coffey

1970 - 2025

SHELLEY MARIE COFFEY

December 28, 1970 – January 9, 2025

Bakersfield – Shelley Marie Coffey, 54, a life-long resident of Bakersfield, California passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 9, 2025.

Shelley was born December 28, 1970, in Bakersfield, CA to parents Wanda & Norman Coffey. She attended Orangewood Elementary, Edison Middle School, & Foothill High School where she excelled in her studies and developed many life-long friendships. She was an excellent flute player and a standout performer in orchestras and marching bands throughout her school years.

In 1995, Shelley went to work as a clerk for the Kern County Courts and remained with them for the next 29 years, working her way up to Deputy CEO of Operations before her declining health forced her to retire in December 2024. Her positive attitude, calm demeanor, and natural leadership allowed her to thrive in her various roles within the court system. Shelley loved her "work family" and many of her closest friendships grew from her time there. During her career, she was known for her friendliness, soft voice, eclectic style, and a smile that could light up any room.

Shelley was naturally adventurous, independent, and absolutely fearless. Born into an auto racing family, she spent much of her teens and early 20's racing various types of cars on numerous tracks in central California. Often competing as the only female in a field full of men, Shelley was never intimidated and could hold her own with anyone. She was an integral part of her family's race team and a vital part of their many successes at the racetrack. Shelley was a huge fan of auto racing in general, often traveling to races to watch her favorite drivers compete. Her desire for speed extended away from the track as well and she regularly owned fast, powerful street cars, often customizing them to enhance their performance. Anyone riding shotgun was treated to a thrill ride and anyone challenging her at a stoplight instantly regretted it.

Shelley's love of travel was not limited to attending races. She loved seeing new places, visiting distant friends, attending concerts, going to the theater, and SCUBA diving. Her travels took her all over the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, Australia, and various other destinations. Her list of future places to visit was endless and she was always planning the next big adventure.

In 2007, Shelley met her "moon & stars", Ray Ramirez. Through Ray, Shelley gained the family that she never planned but always wanted. She absolutely adored her "kids" Tim, Jared, Sara, and Emily, along with grandkids Tiffanie, Timmy, and Isabella. She was an amazing mom and grandma and when she wasn't spending time with her kids, she was proudly talking about them to whomever she was with.

Over the past 17+ years, Shelley and Ray went on epic adventures together. Whether they were diving in Belize, visiting the hobbit village in New Zealand, exploring castles in Europe, paying respect at war memorials, attending ComiCon, or any of their numerous other vacations, together they truly lived life to the fullest. The stories they shared about their trips were vivid and inspiring. Shelley's favorite spot was their beach house in Cambria, CA where she loved catching sunsets over the pacific, strolling along the coast, and developing plans for the dream house she and Ray hoped to build and share in retirement.

Shelley also loved giving back to the local community and could be seen at various veteran's events such as parades, air shows, and honor flight as a member of the Pinups & Patriots. She had an enduring sense of patriotism and truly loved her county and those that fought and sacrificed for it.

Shelley is survived by her husband Raymond Ramirez, parents Norman & Wanda, brother James Coffey and wife Carolyn, brother Edward Coffey, sister in-law Tracy Coffey, her stepchildren, step-grandchildren, her numerous beloved nieces and nephews, lifelong "besties" Jeanine Wathern, Wendy Begley, Kim Lehman, and Jeanette Lucas, her work family Tara Leal, Nancy Harbin, Marlyn Garcia, Dyana McPhetridge, Lori Mosley, Kathy Willis, Ali Rickels, Tammy McNeil, Angie Quantes-Duncan, Jill Platt, and many, many, more. Her loss leaves a gaping hole that can never truly be filled, but her indomitable spirit and zest for life will carry on through all that were lucky enough to know her.

For those interested, a celebration of life will be held on January 25, 2025, in Bakersfield, CA. If you wish to attend, please text Carolyn Coffey (661) 747-7283 or email her at Carolyn_Coffey@att.net and she will reply with the details. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Honor Flight Kern County at www.honorflightkerncounty.org or Cancer Research Institute at www.cancerresearch.org. These organization were very dear to Shelley, and we can think of no better way to honor her legacy than by supporting them.

Rest in paradise Shelley. We will all count the days until we can see you again.

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