Shelby Jean Smith

On Sunday September 12, 2021 Shelby Jean Smith, 85, passed away with her adoring family by her side at the Family home in Cave Creek, Arizona. Shelby was born in Mount Morris, Illinois on August 24, 1936. She was the younger of two daughters born to Ila Mae Glotfelty and Melvin Stanley Glotfelty. The family later relocated to Fall City, Minnesota where they owned & operated a large park, TRAILER CITY.

Shelby’s Father Melvin worked at Cable News, the publishing company of Better Homes & Gardens magazine and The Reader's Digest, among many other popular publications. Shelby & her family moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1948 in search of warmer, dryer climate for her Father’s health. Her Father worked as a Pressman at the Phoenix Republic & Gazette Newspaper. When Shelby’s Dad was not working, you could often find him out fishing in local Arizona lakes with Shelby by his side. They would fish, play cards and he would tell her silly stories. Shelby learned to swim and even drive the family car on rural back roads during their outings. She loved to swim and would spend long days at the Phoenix R&G Rec Center’s large pool. Shelby (Glotfelty) attended Balsz Elementary School in Phoenix, then Phoenix Union High School where she graduated in 1954.

Shelby met the “love of her life,” Wendell while she was still attending high school and he waited patiently for Shelby’s Graduation from PUHS. The two love birds wed soon after on October 24, 1954 and moved into a new red brick home down the street from the FIRST Drive in Theatre in Phoenix. Wendell & Shelby shared the love of fast motorcycles, clean cars, spiffy pickups, fancy powerboats & water skiing. They frequently enjoyed weekends camping and water skiing at Canyon or Roosevelt Lake with other boating friends and families. Shelby did seasonal work in the Secretary Pool of Producers Cotton. She was always well dressed and perfectly accessorized with jewelry, matching shoes and handbags. Shelby always took pride in her appearance, did her own hair up in a French Twist or other latest hairstyle trend and wore her Merle Norman makeup. Shelby turned heads wherever she went. She had style, she had grace … she was a Lady.

Shelby & Wendell were blessed on September 2, 1957 with the arrival of their only child Mitzi, the daughter Shelby had wished for. They would take her with them everywhere, even on their long weekend boating trips. As a baby, Mitzi would learn to water ski by the age five on custom small skis made by Shelby’s brother in law, Dick Smith. Shelby always made sure to give her daughter every opportunity, including ballet and tap dance lessons, and helped her join the local Brownie Troop. She was a very loving, supportive Mom and they were always together like sisters. Shelby was a caring, considerate, polite, mild mannered lady with a kind and gentle soul. Shelby & her husband Wendell moved out to the growing Scottsdale, Arizona in the ‘60s and built their first horse property … then the HORSE FEVER began. Shelby started Mitzi in the local 4-H horse program with her Shetland pony, Tinkerbell, before advancing to horses. She took Mitzi to countless riding lessons and helped her participate in the local Parada Del Sol Parade in Scottsdale. Shelby enjoyed cooking large Sunday dinners and inviting the family and in-laws for visits. Shelby, always the perfect hostess, welcomed any out of town friends and family as well. She would plan fun parties with silly adult games & dances alongside her husband Wendell.

Wendell & Shelby quickly outgrew their small Scottsdale Ranchette and headed even farther North to purchase a larger piece of land, way out Cave Creek way. No water. No power. With just a raw piece of desert land … they were really roughing it with a generator and hauled water. In no time they had built their own ranch, complete with slump block home, horse barn, and ‘official sized’ arena. More horses, dogs, cats, goats, chickens and even a rabbit made their ranch lifestyle worth living. She was such a hard worker, always busy, keeping an immaculate house & ranch property. Shelby’s days were busy running the ranch, with no hired help, as she did it all. From ordering animal feeds and supplies, feeding all livestock, to coordinating horse farriers and vets, cleaning stalls and tack, taking horses on and off the walker, rotating horse blankets in winter, she took care of their horse boarder’s needs. Shelby’s weekends were spent mostly supporting Mitzi’s love for horses, which had turned into years of AQHA horse shows and events, many of which were out of town. Shelby always gave so much of herself to support her family.

Shelby & her husband Wendell headed North in the early ‘80s and worked hard for many years building their ‘Dream Ranch’ up in the small town of Young, Arizona. A two-story log home was built along with a large horse barn and numerous out buildings. Shelby was always busy on the ranch taking care of their animals and riding her favorite horse Renny, while her husband Wendell commuted to his job in Phoenix as a supervisor with Salt River Project. She was always busy making their ranch beautiful with rock lined flower gardens and planters everywhere, along with a perfectly manicured property. Wendell would work long hours during the week, so he could head back up to the ranch on Thursdays to his beloved wife Shelby. The two of them enjoyed working on ranch projects and spent countless hours in the saddle exploring the surrounding countryside together on the weekends. They were always inviting friends and family from down in the Valley to come up for long visits full of yummy food and relaxing time up in the cool country. Shelby enjoyed having her daughter Mitzi & the grandkids stay with her during Wendell’s workweeks down in Phoenix. She belonged to the Desert Saddle Bags ladies riding club, for many years and hosted trail rides out of their ranch. Shelby & her daughter Mitzi would trailer out to ride together on fun, fully catered annual RVR Trail Rides for women. In later years, they enjoyed Mother/Daughter time on trail-rides organized by the Saddle Wenches Riding Group.

Shelby’s life changed forever upon the death of her beloved husband of almost 35 years, Wendell. They had both worked so hard for many years preparing for his retirement & future years growing old together on their dream ranch. Sadly, Wendell’s life ended in November of 1988 at 56, only six months after his retirement from Salt River Project of 32 years of service. In the years to come, Shelby stayed busy riding & enjoying her continuing time spent up at their remote dream ranch. She enjoyed visits from her friends, family & especially with her two grandchildren while they were still young, and yet old enough to have treasured memories of THE RANCH and their awesomely fun ‘GaGa’.

Shelby is survived by her older sister, Shirley Moyer; only child-daughter, Mitzi Dee Dooley (Tom); Grandson, Dustin James Dooley (Shushaplum); Granddaughter, Jessica Marie Brock (Jessinacki); Great Grandsons, Arthur Wellington Brock and Clayborne Thomas Brock.

In addition to her parents Ila Mae Glotfelty and Melvin Glotfelty, Shelby was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell Smith.

A private memorial service will be scheduled for immediate family members.

Shelby will be deeply missed but is now free to ride the trails once again with her husband, Wendell. They will live on in cherished memories, priceless stories and in our hearts.

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"With the smell of pine in the air and not a worry or a care. The long drive not always fun, but it must be done; I’m going to grandma’s place. On my back in a pasture, no mischief could get past her with rides to secret places, and the slowest horse races; I’m at grandma’s place. From Hi Ho Silver truck rides into town, and fireworks shot from the ground, The Grand Old Alley was sure the show, but soon it will be time to go; I’m at grandma’s place. Down the driveway looking over my shoulder, one more time I wish I could hold her. To start the long drive home, from the pastures I’d roamed; I’m leaving grandma’s place. Now on a big, puffy cloud, in a welcoming crowd, her promises made were all well-kept, now the time has come, and I have wept; Because Heaven is now grandma’s place."

- - Forever your Shushaplum, Dusty Jim

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"Our GaGa was loved to smithereens by her two Grandchildren. She gave hugs as big as Potato Mountain where she took us on horseback for trail rides, and let us search for arrowheads in the mud ‘till our white socks were permanently ruined. She gave forgiveness like a mouth full of strawberries and an empty basket brought back to the kitchen. She gave laughter like paying an entry fee to our theater shows and secret riding places. She gave joy like sliding down carpeted stairs in our pajamas and racing to the truck seat to drive into town when you could barely reach the pedals. She gave so much, certainly the most beautiful memories Grandchildren could ask for."

- - Love, your Jessinacki

~~~ ♥ ♥ Happy Trails… until we meet again, Mummy. ♥ ♥ ~~~