January 21, 2024
In Loving Memory (1956-2024) ~
Our dear sister Shelley passed away peacefully on January 21st at home, surrounded by her loving family. Shelley faced her health challenges with strength and dignity.
She was pre-deceased by her husband John Beckett in 2018, and her golden retriever Chester in December 2023.
She will be missed by her sister Jane and brother Preston (Christine); seven nieces/nephews: Elizabeth, Ian (Maria), Meghan (Ryan), Brien (Caley), Laura (Chad), Colin (Courtney) and Mark (Leigh), as well as twelve great nieces/nephews and six grand dogs. Her many friends will cherish special memories.
Shelley was born in New Westminster to Elliott and Margaret Creelman. She attended Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary and New West Secondary Schools, where she made many lifelong friends. In 1974, she captained the senior girls' basketball team that won the BC Championship.
She went on to earn a BEd from UBC. Upon graduation, she taught elementary grades in Coquitlam and later in Cobble Hill and Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island. She always strived to enrich the lives of her many students.
In 1997 while teaching in Cobble Hill, she met the love of her life John Beckett. Shelley and John travelled to Northern BC and Yukon, Mexico, Central America, Europe and many other destinations.
In 2015, they moved to Hornby Island to fulfill their dream to build and run a B&B on the island. She also spent time volunteering, tutoring, supporting friends and family, gardening, biking and, of course, walking and fussing over her dog.
Shelley's infectious smile and kind, compassionate, and occasionally "Irish" nature, are her legacies. If we are "here TO love and TO BE loved", Shelley DID and Shelley WAS. Hug someone for her.
Our thanks to Dr. Teresa Elliott for her compassionate care.
A Celebration of Life will be arranged later in the spring. Please contact the family for details.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Shelley's name to Golden Rescue, www.goldenrescue.ca or the Canadian Cancer Society, www.cancer.ca
