Shelley Bott

February 4, 1941 – January 31, 2026

We honor the life of our mom, Shelley Bott (84)- a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, musician, and woman of deep faith.
Shelley dedicated her life to being a wife, mom & grandma, teaching elementary music, and serving others. Through her work in the church whether playing the piano, being the church service organist, singing in choirs and handbell choir, she shared joy, discipline, and a belief in doing things well. She held high standards and expectations, always encouraging those around her to grow, learn, and become their best. Mom was fiercely independent and not easily swayed from her beliefs. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s degree late in life after prioritizing raising her kids first. As a grandma, Shelley made it a priority to influence, impact and help raise her grandchildren. Countless hours were spent creating projects and crafts, with games and toys always around to help foster learning and fun. Her grandchildren brought her immense pride and joy, and she always was happiest when she was around them.  She mastered the best buttermilk pancakes and homemade syrup, created the enchilada hot dish, Sunday night tostadas, the ability to cook anything on a Coleman propane stove and passed along a love for cooking to her family.
She found comfort in books and poetry, and her favorite place was by the ocean, where the steady rhythm of the waves felt like a song that never ended. She always felt drawn to lighthouses near any beach she visited, especially at Fort Canby state park in WA. Conversely, mom loved watching sports on any occasion, especially football. Whether it be a glass of wine, feeding the birds in her backyard, or a cup of mint chocolate chip ice cream, mom found joy in simple pleasures.
In her later years, Shelley lived with dementia – a journey that changed much but never erased her gentle spirit, her faith, or her love of music. Her personal piano she received at the age of nine remained with her and was played by her, through memory, until her last months.
She leaves behind her sister (Pamela and family), her children (Michael & Tammie, Paula & Michael, Carrie & Charlie) her grandchildren (Sierra, Carson, Caylee & Chas) a multitude of cousins and extended family and is now reunited with her husband, David in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, mother Irene and Father Elmer Rolland. Her legacy lives on in every lesson taught, every song sung, and every life shaped by her care and devotion.