Shelley Ann (Ekeli) Cretney

It is with heavy hearts and immeasurable sadness that we announce the passing of Shelley on April 21, 2024, at the age of 68 years at the Lacombe Hospital with her husband, son and daughter by her side.  Shelley lost her 2-year battle against lung cancer but what she never lost was her determination and fighting spirit.  Her courage and dignity throughout have been an inspiration to us all.  Although the time we enjoyed and cherished with her was too short, Shelley touched us all with her will to live and her passion for life.

Shelley was born on October 6, 1955 at Ponoka, Alberta. This is where she was raised and spent many of her years.   Shelley was employed at the Northcott Care Centre for 5 years, caring for the elderly until transitioning to the Alberta Hospital Ponoka for 25 years.  Here she continued to excel in her role as an HCA working on Geriatric Units - Parkside, Dawnview as well as a Brain Injury Unit – Waterton until her retirement in 2002.  Throughout her career, she showed warmth and kindness towards her patients and colleagues, and her presence in the workplace was a source of inspiration. Anyone that knew Shelley, recognized that she had an exceptional work ethic.

Shelley loved the outdoors, riding Harleys with her husband, quadding, camping, boating, fishing, listening to music and spending quality time with family and friends.  She had a green thumb showcasing her weedless vegetable garden and beautiful flowers throughout her yard and she had the most beautiful, prized Christmas Cactus that bloomed every year! She loved to cook and was a natural at it.  Shelley cherished watching her family race cars and playing sports, especially her little granddaughter Shae, she was so proud of their successes.  Shelley was also a devoted supporter of her favorite sports teams; Edmonton Oilers, Edmonton Eskimos and the Kansas City Chiefs and she rarely missed watching a game with her husband.  It’s difficult to capture the essence of her selfless and generous dedication to her family.  She will always be remembered for her bright blue eyes, her contagious smile, her sense of humour, and her occasional stubbornness.  As a loving Wife, Mother and GG, you were the heart that made our family whole.

Shelley is survived by the love of her life husband Pete of Lacombe, AB; Son Kenny (Veronica) of St. Albert, AB; daughter Cathy (Billy) Courtney of Ponoka, AB; Grandchildren-her pride and joy Shae, Fergus, Tristan and Trey; Nephews Cody Cassidy of Calgary, AB; Tanner (Ash) Cassidy of Jersey Island, United Kingdom; Lisa Nault of Innisfail, AB; Auntie Karen Ekeli of Camrose, AB; Bob and Rose Cretney of Rimbey along with other extended family and friends.

She was predeceased by her Son Darcy Munn in 1992, Mother Marion Northcott in 2011, Sisters Marianne Sharkey in 2010 and Linda Sidor in 2013, Brother in Laws Jim Cretney in 2012 and Jack Cretney in 2018.

The family of Shelley would like to Thank everyone who supported and loved her. Thank you to the Lacombe Hospital and Care centre for her compassionate care.

“A rose has bloomed in Heaven and whenever loved one’s part, they blossom forth in memories in the gardens of the heart.”

Memorial donations in honour of Shelley may be directed to the Lacombe Palliative Care Society (P.O. Box 5575, Lacombe, AB T4L 1X2)  or to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lacombe & District at https://lacombe.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

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