Shirley Jean McKelvey OBITUARY
Shirley Jean McKelvey was a prolific painter, educator, tennis player, and avid reader. She loved to learn about the world and other people, and to encourage and inspire others. Shirley graduated from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and had several teaching jobs throughout her life.
She played and taught tennis, and was a member of the Palo Alto Tennis Club. Shirley started painting at age 42, and continued painting, mostly watercolor, throughout her life. Shirley loved teaching art to the students at Escondido School, in Palo Alto, CA. Shirley was a docent at the Cantor Arts Center Museum at Stanford, CA. She especially loved giving tours of the Rodin Sculpture Garden, and the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden.
Shirley traveled extensively and painted in most locations. She has paintings in collections in the United States and Europe.
Shirley passed away peacefully from pancreatic cancer on February 7th, 2024.
Shirley is survived by her three adult children: Jay, Joy Apple, and Jill; three adult grandchildren: James Apple, Jeremy Apple, and Jessica Shaker; two great-grandchildren: Lily Shaker and Tristan Shaker; Son-in-law: Steven Apple, and grandson-in-law: Isaac Shaker.
