WELLSVILLE – Nita G. Shelley, 95, passed away peacefully on Tuesday (August 27, 2024) at Wellsville Manor Care Center.
Mrs. Shelley was born on August 21, 1929 in Ashtabula, Ohio to Kenneth S. and Grace Ann (Laylin) Wrisley and moved to Cuba in her early teens. She was a 1947 graduate of Cuba Central School and performed as a majorette in the marching band. On February 8, 1947 she married Donald C. Shelley, who predeceased her on December 9, 2009.
Nita devoted most of her time as a stay at home mother tending to the needs of her husband and family. In her young adult years, she worked the mail room for Acme Electric in Cuba and as a proof reader for the Cuba Patriot. In the late 1970’s she was a home health aid for Jan & Bev’s Home Care, Inc. and later completed her work life alongside her husband on the family farm.
Nita is survived by five children, Brian (Donna) Shelley of Lima, Dawn (Jerry) White of Valley Grande, Ala., Neil (Emily Rose) Shelley of Virginia, Scott Shelley of Hickory, N.C. and Dirk Shelley of Belmont; 10 grandchildren, Jeremy (Deanne) Shelley, Shelley (Larry) White, Crystal White, Shane Shelley, Brittany (Brian) Pivovarnik, Heidi (Larry) Beardsley, Luke (Myra) Schmidt, Jason Shelley, Jamie (Amanda) Shelley and Mariah (Daniel) Miller; 12 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her husband of 62 years, she was predeceased by a daughter and son-in-law, Movureen A. and Matthew Schmidt; a daughter-in-law, Patricia Shelley; a grandson, Shawn M. Schmidt and a great-granddaughter, Ashlee Elaine White.
Nita enjoyed working crossword puzzles, solving sudoku and watching the hummingbirds at the bird feeders. She liked to hike and home canning was an annual late summer event; a by-product of living on a farm. Spending time with her family, especially the grandchildren was very special to her. The simple things such a walk in the woods with hot chocolate in hand, an impromptu picnic or watching the One O’clock Ed Murphy Hollywood Matinee; if it included family, she was perfectly content.
Nita enjoyed studying her Bible and teaching others. Nita starting studying with the Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1961 and served faithfully as a baptized Jehovah Witness for 63 years. She often invited her family and her Jehovah Witness family to the farm for a picnic and gathering.
There will be no prior visitation. A memorial service will be held on Saturday (October 26) at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 115 Chamberlain Street in Wellsville. A reception will be held at the Scio Fire Hall immediately following the service. Her ashes will be laid to rest beside her husband in Maple Grove Cemetery in Friendship at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are under the direction of Treusdell Funeral home in Belfast. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.treusdellfuneralhome.com.
