The community is heartbroken to share the passing of Shelby Balsley, who left this world after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Shelby faced every challenge with an unshakable faith, quiet grace, and remarkable strength that inspired everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Through years of treatments, uncertainty, and hardship, she remained steadfast in her love for life, her family, and her students — the people who gave her purpose and joy. Those who knew Shelby remember her as someone whose heart had no limits. She had an incredible gift for making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued.
Whether she was comforting a friend, sharing laughter in the teacher’s lounge, or cheering on her children at a school event, Shelby gave herself completely to every moment. Her kindness wasn’t loud or showy — it was genuine, thoughtful, and unwavering.
As a teacher, Shelby poured her energy and compassion into shaping young minds. She had the rare ability to make learning not just educational, but joyful and inspiring. Her students adored her because she believed in them — every single one of them.
She reminded them that they mattered, that they were capable, and that they were loved. Even when she was battling her illness, she continued to care deeply about her classroom and the lives of her students, proving that her passion for teaching went far beyond the walls of any school.
But above all, Shelby’s greatest source of pride and happiness was her family — especially her two beloved children, Summer and Dylan. They were the center of her world, and her love for them knew no bounds.
Every decision she made, every ounce of strength she found, was rooted in her devotion to them. Her courage was their compass, her faith their foundation, and her love their safe place.
Now, as her family begins to navigate this difficult new chapter without her physical presence, the community she loved so deeply is coming together to give back.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been created to help cover funeral expenses and to provide ongoing support for Summer and Dylan. It is a way for friends, family, colleagues, and former students to show up for Shelby — just as she showed up for so many others.
“If you knew Shelby,” the fundraiser reads, “you know how deeply she cared for others — her students, her friends, and her community. She showed up for people in quiet, meaningful ways every single day. It’s our hope that this GoFundMe can be one small way we show up for her and her children now.”
Donations of any size are deeply appreciated, as each contribution represents a gesture of love and remembrance for a woman whose impact will never fade.
