Shelley Lynn Shackelford

Through her exceptional talents of creating memorable experiences with thoughtfully planned menus, delectably prepared meals, selecting the best wine, and making any space she touched look beautiful and feel inviting, Shelley had a unique way of making those around her feel special. She turned these personal talents into a career as an event designer. After beginning her career with a small catering company, Shelley gained experience planning large-scale events and eventually founded her own company in 2013, Shelley Shackelford & Co.

Born on August 15, 1969, in New Orleans, LA, to the late Sharon (Halper) and Dan Shackelford, Shelley’s family moved to Texas when she was young where she graduated from Arlington Lamar High School in Arlington, TX. She also attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. Shelley is survived by sister and brother-in-law, Stacey and Billy Quinn; two nieces, Caroline and Grace; nephew, Jack, of Dallas, TX, as well as a number of aunts, uncles and cousins. She is also survived by childhood friend Lori Anthony-Thomas, babysitter Nancy Bertalino, close friends Mari and Jeff Sullivan and their son Jeff. Shelley will always be beloved “fairy godmother” to Ava Weintraub, Rylee O’Neill and Reese O’Neill, and life-long friend to Reese Alavi, Addison Carden and Maddie Carden.

Shelley was loved fiercely by a dedicated group of her closest friends: Anahit Hovhannisyan, Lacy Naylor, Laran O’Neill Helms, Lynda Rexrode, and Debbie Vaughan. These five women always stood strong with Shelley, but ‘care team’ took on new meaning in the last year. Shelley’s care team is incredibly grateful to the courageous women and men fighting to cure cancer at UT Southwestern and providing care at Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas Hospital who cared for Shelley throughout the last year and in her final moments.

To celebrate Shelley’s life, a Rosary will be held on July 8, 2021, 6:30 pm in the chapel at Sparkman-Hillcrest, 7405 Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX, as well as a Funeral Mass on July 9, 2021, 3:00 pm, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3811 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, TX.

In lieu of flowers, Shelley requested that donations be made to UT Southwestern Medical Center for Dr. Muhammad Beg’s Pancreatic Cancer Research. Checks may be mailed to: P.O. Box 910888, Dallas, TX, 75391-0888, or gifts can be made online: https://engage.utsouthwestern.edu/donate-now. If online, select “Other” from the designation drop-down option and enter “Dr. Beg’s Pancreatic Cancer Research.”