Obituary of Jo Shelley-Durieux

It with immense sadness that we announce the passing of the most beautiful sole.  Jo Shelley-Durieux, beloved life partner for 42 years and wife of 15 years to Marty Durieux, passed away on March 13, 2023, at the age of 81.  Along with her loving husband Marty, Jo is survived by her four children: Debbie (Bruce) Bumstead, Dan (Colleen) Shelley, Darrell (Barb) Shelley and Traci (Kelly) Riess and six grandchildren: Ryan Shelley, Michael Shelley, Samantha (TJ) Shelley, Justin (Natasha) Shelley, Taylor (Tate) Macdonald and Chase (Kennedy) Huber, and 12 great-grandchildren: Liam Shelley, Bodie Shelley, Darius Smith, Arya Smith, Kase Macdonald, Heidi James Macdonald, Miesha Shelley and Madeline Shelley and Britton Macdonald, and special grandchildren Dawson Hoerdt, Shaelynn Mckay and Raelee Mckay as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and in-laws Edie Durieux, Lana (Terry) Butcher.  Jo also leaves hundreds of friends to mourn. Jo was predeceased by her father Archie Whitlock, mother Margaret (Peggy) Whitlock and sisters Peggy Thomson, Betty Whitlock, Gail McCullough, and in-law's Henry & Helen Shelley and Duane Durieux.

Jo was born in Calgary, AB on July 14, 1941 and was nick-named Baby Jo. Raised in East Calgary, Jo went to elementary school at St. Anne’s Catholic School and graduated from St. Mary’s Girls’ School in 1958.  Jo married Ron Shelley on December 5, 1959 and raised their four children in Calgary, AB before moving to Millarville, AB.  Jo and Marty have had a long and beautiful life together since April 1, 1981 and were married on March 22, 2008 in the most intimate wedding.  Jo and Marty lived in Deer Run in Calgary before moving to Wheatland County to Crowfoot Creek Saskatoons in 2016.

Besides raising her four children, Jo worked in a number of different roles from various companies over her working career from the Hereford Digest, to being camp cook for seismic crews in Northern Alberta. Jo eventually landed at the City of Calgary, Waterworks Division and worked in Preventative Maintenance Department for twenty-three years.  Jo was a huge contributor and organizer for many employee social events.  Jo retired from the City of Calgary in 2005.

Jo had the brightest blue eyes, an infectious smile, the biggest hugs, and a heart that loved everyone she knew.  There wasn’t one person who met Jo that she didn’t instantly connect with. So many of her kids’ friends called her Mom-Jo. 

Jo had two favorite times of the year: Stampede and Christmas.  She loved going to the Calgary Stampede from parades, to rodeos to chuckwagons and passed her love of the Calgary Stampede onto her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many, many friends.   Our Mom made Christmas such a magical time for us and many of those traditions we still honor and enjoy. She supported her kids in everything from Precision Label, to branding, building barns, and even initiated the girl’s fastball league in Millarville and went on to manage the Millarville Brewers ball team for several years, where life long friends were made. 

Jo was very involved in the communities she lived in, in particular the Square Butte Ladies Group in the 1970’s and 1980’s.  Jo’s love for cooking took her to starting the pancake breakfast at the Millarville Farmers Market in the mid-1980s.  Jo, Debbie and Traci enjoyed several years of catering under the name Shelley Catering and was the instigator of many girls trips with a ‘can we?’ attitude.  Mom enjoyed organizing and participating in many family golf tournaments between the Whitlock family and Shelley family annual golf tournaments.  She also enjoyed her weekly girl’s golf games. 

Mom fought hard against dementia for 10 years and we thank Marty and her caregivers enough from the bottom of our hearts for keeping Mom healthy and comfortable, especially during the last few years.

A Celebration of Jo's Life will be held at the Indus Recreation Centre (225155 Range Road 281A, Indus Alberta), southeast of Calgary, on March 24, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow.

Internment will take place with her immediate family at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Calgary, AB at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating directly to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta in memory of Jo.

To watch a video of the funeral service, click here.