Shelly graduated from Dos Pueblos high school in Santa Barbara, CA then later graduated from the Santa Barbara Beauty Academy. She worked as a hairdresser for over 40 years.
Shelly met the love of her life, Kenneth Johnston at the Lions Club Breakfast in Goleta, CA in 1979 when Ken served as their waiter. Ken and Shelly later married on August 23, 1980 at the Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel garden. Although Ken and Shelly were unable to have human children, they filled their home and hearts with Golden Retrievers. They left Santa Barbara in 1994 and moved to Forest Ranch, CA to start a motorcycle business in Chico, CA. After selling the business in 2006, Ken retired and the pair decided they needed a change on scenery. That moved to Lago Vista, Texas after investing in the Circuit of the Americas. Shelly was a member of the Lago Vista Womens Club and the Lago Vista Garden Club.
Shelly was preceded in death by her parents and 3 fur babies, Maggie, Taja, and Halle. She is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Ken and fur baby, Cali.
Shelly's life will be honored at a later date where she will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Santa Barbara.