Shirley Annette O'Kelley

Shirley was born to James O'Kelley and Jessie Lee Acre on September 16th 1040 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Then WW II separated her family. Later on, her mother with her children moved to California, establishing in Vallejo, close to Carqinez Shipyard, very busy in second WWII. Shirley went to school in Vallejo, and high school in Phoenix Arizona and in Vallejo, then she Enrolled at West Mont College and transferred to San Jose State University where she graduated with Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She excelled as a teacher in her teaching career in San Jose Ca. where she worked for 35 years earning a Life Teacher Credential. She was a great teacher and some of her students seem have followed her example by choosing the teaching career as well. Shirley herself witnessed it, when after her retirement; she took some hours as a substitute teacher, then she was sent to a school where she found herself substituting for one of her former elementary school students, what an awesome surprise. She also has another former elementary school student as a friend that never has stopped contacting Shirley even though she moved to Australia.

Shirley married Edwin Ventocilla, a foreign medical graduate, in 1993 then after 32 years of happy marriage, he tirelessly took care of her in her last days.

Shirley loved her family dearly; her siblings were Earl, Steve, Donna, Cathy, Patricia and Paul. Her family was truly devoted Christians, her mother Jessie and her sister Patricia were university graduated in Theological studies. Shirley was always busy in the church supporting actively in the ministries, raising money, preparing food, participating in bible studies. In fact she has left her Would Vision Ministry to her husband to continue supporting it. She was a great vocalist, in church she sang beautifully.

Shirley had a great personality; she was a very happy lady, full of joy, very friendly, positive mind with a busy agenda. She loved sports; in the Bay Area, she has organized volleyball, sky, walking teams, internationals group teams to Costa Rica and Ireland, She was an excellent speaker; she was a toast master leader. She loved dancing mainly ballroom dances where she met Edwin. She participated in Tango Dance competitions.

She and her husband have hosted years 12 foreign students in the period of ten years, mainly from Japan and some from Europe, as well from South America.

Shirley, I will always carry your memory in my heart. Edwin Ventocilla