Shellby Carolyn (Yanker) Rivera

It is with tremendous sadness to announce the passing of Shellby Carolyn Rivera, age 32, of Westminster, Colorado on March 4, 2025 due to a battle with cancer. Shellby’s battle began in August of 2024 with a stage 3 diffuse midline glioma in her spinal cord. Shellby’s cancer progressed to stage 4 diffuse midline glioma in her brain and leptominingeal disease that took her life.

Shellby was born on February 6, 1993 to Monty Yanker and Dawn Yanker in Omaha, Nebraska. Shellby built a life with her husband, Derek, over 19 amazing years. Shellby was a dedicated and amazing mother to Joseph (17), Roman, Lauren (13) and Jordyn (9). Shellby has been the best aunt to her nieces, Erica, Jessica, Aubree, and Jessalyn, and her nephews, Dominick and Bryce. Shellby has been the most supportive and loving sister to Ryan and Megan. Shellby’s favorite past time is to spend time with her family making unforgettable memories.

Shellby brought light into every room she went into. Shellby lived life to the fullest and taught everyone around her what it meant to love life. Shellby taught all of those around her what it meant to thrive regardless of the circumstances. Shellby was a very young mom and she taught us all what it meant to be a present, devoted, loving mother while also being a teenager. Shellby grew up playing sports and her favorite thing was to watch her children thrive in athletics. Shellby was the loudest and proudest mama present. Everyone knew who she was and whose mom she was.

Shellby loved music and loved to share her favorite songs in the car on the loudest volume. Shellby enjoyed dancing and karaoke with anyone who would join. Shellby enjoyed sharing stories and making others laugh. Shellby’s laugh brought joy to those around her.

Shellby lived life with no regrets. Shellby lived with a spontaneous nature and with no care who may have been watching. Shellby was unapologetically and authentically herself no matter the audience. Shellby radiated love wherever she went and created the life she always dreamed of.

Shellby has had a variety of successes throughout her life. Shellby did not allow having children young to hinder her. Shellby graduated nursing school with a 4.0 GPA. Shellby also worked as a CNA after graduating high school. Shellby aspired to further her nursing education.

Shellby is a person who has touched so many lives in so many ways. There are not enough words to describe her. Shellby lead her life with God and allowed her faith to give her the strength to be a consistent light in so many lives. Shellby gave everyone a reason to smile and be happy.

Shellby is survived by her husband, Derek, children, Joseph, Lauren and Jordyn, her father and step mom, Monty and Laura, her mother, Dawn, her siblings, Megan and Ryan, her nieces, Erica, Jessica, Aubree, and Jessalyn, and her nephews, Dominick and Bryce. Shellby is preceded in death by her son, Roman and her grandmother, Alice.

Celebration of life details to come.

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? PSALM 56:3-4