January 6, 1957 - May 26, 2023
In loving memory ~
With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend. Shelly lost her battle with cancer, peacefully passing surrounded by family and friends.
Shelly's journey in life began in Calgary on January 6, 1957, born to Gerry and Del Lee. Her youth was spent in Southeast Calgary with her parents, sister Shireen and maternal grandmother, Nanny, Margaret Price. With her family, she moved to British Columbia in 1968 at the age of eleven and attended Sherwood Park Elementary. She then went on to graduate from Windsor Secondary School in 1975. Through school, she excelled in drama, prominently in stage production, makeup, and prop creation.
Shelly had a love for all animals from a young age, starting with family dogs, then with her soft-hearted nature she began inviting in strays of the two and four-legged variety much to the chagrin of her parents.
Following high school, Shelly worked with her father at Seaside Paper Products where she learned her dedication to hard work and entrepreneurship.
Shelly met the love of her life, Michael Rozankoski in 1977, and they married in 1981. They had two children, Melissa and Lee.
In 1990 Shelly and Michael had an opportunity to take over a subsidiary of Seaside in the Okanagan Valley. They moved to Vernon and created Lee West Packaging. As well, her joy of entertaining and hosting dinners grew into a passion for food, where she created her own successful catering business Itty Bitty Catering.
As if she wasn't busy enough, Shelly found time to volunteer. She was an active and dedicated member of the Kidston School PAC. From hot lunches and field trips, to elaborate decorations for winter carnivals. She also volunteered and participated in the Vernon Fly Ball Club, and multiple therapeutic riding associations (most recently EQuisdom Therapeutic Horsemanship Association). She assisted with the rescue of deer, bears, birds, and raccoons for the Critter Care Wildlife Society.
Shelly always liked to try new things. She got involved with the North Okanagan Hot Air Balloon Association, where she learned how to crew the balloons, which led to many other ballooning opportunities in B.C., AB, and Switzerland.
Her love of horses led to another wonderful volunteer opportunity. She worked with Horse Drawn Okanagan, decorating the winter sleighs and grounds, and making cookies for the Christmas Sleigh Ride season.
When an opportunity to travel arose Shelly was eager to go on multiple family trips to Mexico, Cuba, and across Canada. Her summers always included exploring around BC and Alberta with her mother and children; meeting up with her sister Shireen and family for some fun in the sun; road trips with Michael and the kids to Saturna Island, and camping with friends across B.C.
Shelly also travelled with her lifelong friend Miranda. In 2010 they visited Peru for a 21-day exploration of the country and hiked the Machu Picchu Trail. In 2017, for their 60th birthdays, they crossed the pond to England to visit her niece and see Port Isaac, which is the location of a favourite TV series Doc Martin. They continued to Switzerland to crew for friends at the Chateau D'Oex Hot Air Balloon Festival. They also did an annual trip to High River AB for the High River International Hot Air Balloon Festival where they reunited with many ballooning friends.
Shelly enjoyed every aspect of nature, from hiking to camping; canoeing to fishing and exploring anything she could in between.
Shelly always made holidays and occasions extra special with homemade gifts, crafts, and of course delicious meals. She truly enjoyed putting in time and effort to make the people in her life feel loved and cared for.
The biggest gifts in Shelly's life were her grandchildren, Archer, and Charlie. She patiently showed them things in nature and her creative artistic talents. Her last years were spent watching them grow and chasing them around. She loved every minute of it.
Shelly was active and generous in the lives of her niece, nephews, friends, family, and anyone she met. Shelly was selfless and caring about everyone around her. We hope everyone who knew Shelly will remember her with a smile and full of joy as her family does.
If you wish to attend the celebration of life or would like to leave a note for Shelly's family please contact us by email celebratinglife.shelly@gmail.com
In lieu of flowers please donate to the EQuisdom Therapeutic Horsemanship Association or the North Okanagan Hospice Society.