Shelby My beautiful girl, my princess. She was known and loved by many and to each of you she was special. Shelby had many different names, Shelby Lou, Shelbs, Lou Lou, babes, Dave. When she was a baby Granddad George used to call her Rosie Boarer because I used to put her in a baby grow covered in little red roses, hence why later on her baby sister was called Rosie. Some things just stick. I think the two funniest names she was given was Shuffle Shoe Shelby, this was her poker players name [from the age of 7 she used to play online Texas Holdem with Dessie] this name was given to her by Uncle Geoff. And finally, Smellby, a name that was given to her by Silly Neil and adopted by the whole of the Midas football team. Believe it or not she was very proud of all of her names. Shelby was a big personality, when she went anywhere she filled up the space she was in. Her Nanny Boarer once said to me, “Whenever she comes in she lights up the room,” and she was right. You always knew when she was at home, even if you couldn’t see her you knew she was there. Quite often you could hear her because as you all know she wasn’t the quietest person in the world; she let you know how she was feeling. Good or bad! Even as a baby. I remember when she was first born; she came out looking fed up and angry at the world. I can honestly say she was the ugliest baby I’d ever seen, we used to laugh about it. Fists clenched, red faced and cross at being disturbed. She had no hair till she was about 18 months old and people used to think she was a boy so I used to put pink hair bands on her with bows on them. I even resorted to getting her ears pierced. Having said all that, what a beautiful girl she became. She had the most amazing eyes. I remember sitting in the hospital with her on my knees facing me, the curtains round the bed closed so we were in our own little private world and we just stared at each other. It was like she was saying, so you’re my mum, and that was it. From that day forward she wanted my whole attention. She liked nothing better than Shelby and mummy time and she would fiercely defend what she considered as her divine right to my time. She also had her dad, Mark, wrapped around her little finger. I used to work evenings and when it was time to go I would put my uniform on. As soon as Shelby noticed this she would start playing up. Poor Mark would be pacing up and down the front room with her in his arms; because that’s the only way she would be quiet, until I came home at around 10:30pm. I would take the little madam off him and she would instantly settle down and go to sleep. I swear with a self-satisfied look upon her face. Sorry dad but 1-0 to Shelby. Shelbs had a stubborn streak too. I always tried to bring my children up to have manners. It was almost an obsession. Nanny Collis used to say, “Manners cost nothing,” which is true, but try telling a one year old Shelby that. I remember being round at my best friend Karen’s house and Shelby wanted a drink so I said what do you say? Would she say it? ….no! She waited till Karen and I were distracted and then she climbed up, took the beaker of the side and helped herself. Looking very pleased with herself, she had got what she wanted without having to say please or thank you. Yet again 1-0 to Shelby. Shelby has always been an affectionate child but when she was very little the only person she would freely lavish kisses on was Uncle Paul who at the time was a farmer, I know, strange but true! We all joked about how we hoped this wasn’t going to be a reflection on her future taste in men! Funnily enough she did end up with a man obsessed with tractors! Shelbs never found education easy but I have never known a child work so hard. She wouldn’t give up! She was determined she was going to achieve what she set out to do and she did. I never had a bad school report for her. Like everyone else she came across, she had a profound impact on people. Teachers, tutors, friends, neighbours, colleagues, parents, children, customers at Superdish, just too many people to mention. Shelby only ever wanted to be a mum so she loved and mothered everybody, including me and Dessie. However, the person who bore the brunt of this was her little sister Rosie. When Rosie was six Shelby was still trying to get her into babygrows that belonged to her when she was a baby, just so she could play mummies. Then she’d plonk her in their dolly’s push chair and push her up and down the road. Shelbs loved Rosie with all her heart but when she was born she was also jealous of the time I had to spend on her. I will always remember the time I was sitting on the sofa quietly feeding Rosie, Shelby sat on the floor by my knee when suddenly Rosie let out this awful wail, I wondered what on earth was wrong. When I looked down there was Shelby biting her sister’s toes. Just making sure that I hadn’t forgotten that she was there, she then looked up at me all innocence and gave me one of her big smiles. So many memories… believe it or not her first word was, not mummy, daddy or nanny but marmite. I can honestly say, Shelby the teenager was a nightmare; she took tantrums to a whole new level. In fact she was so bad that our neighbours at the time phoned the council and complained of the noise. But of course in true Harry and Dean style her brothers teased her mercilessly which always aggravated the situation. And in true Shelby style she got her own back. We were on holiday in Spain, Shelbs was hitting puberty and Harry and Dean had been teasing her about having fried eggs and not real boobs. Those of you that know Shelby really well would know how proud she was of her boobs. Anyway, we were sat at the breakfast table and the boys were tormenting her so in the end she just looked at the pair of them lifted her top and flashed them. End of conversation, no more teasing, red faces all round and yes sorry boys 2-0 to Shelby. Shelby the adult was amazing as you all know. She bounced, she flounced, she loved, she talked and boy could she talk, [ I think she took after Aunty Ann in that department] she argued, she stomped but most of all she smiled. And what a smile! Everyone here has been affected by Shelby, her love, her generous spirit, and her over riding ability to make everyone feel special. She loved each and every one of you and constantly talked about you all. More recently it has been about her job, the children she cared for and the lovely people she worked with, especially La La and Trudy, she was so excited when Trudy found out she was expecting a baby. So many people were important to Shelbs, she saw herself as being so lucky to have such good friends and family around her, Rosie T and Anna being two of her closest friends. And of course Rachel who was not only her cousin but her best friend, her confident and along with Rosie T and Anna someone she could always rely on to be there for her not matter what. Family was extremely important to Shelbs and she always tried to make time for everyone. She adored Geoff and Jo and especially baby Amber. She saw herself as being so lucky to have such a big family not only mine and Mark’s families but Dessie and Linda’s families too. Everyone loved her, she was a big part in all of them. Of all the defining moments in Shelby’s life the one thing that gave her purpose and helped her to become the confident and amazing person she was, was when Rob came into her life. When Shelbs was at the Ashcombe she came home a few times complaining about this boy in her class who kept throwing things at her, like paper towel holders and cricket balls. She told me his name was Robert Wickens and I said Oh yes I know him, I taught him in primary school. Stay well away baby. However, you can imagine my shock and concern when she came home from college one day and said I’m going out with a lad I used to go to school with and it’s Robert Wickens. I said Oh my god, not THE Robert Wickens, the boy that used to throw things at you. She said yes but he’s changed. And she was so right. Dessie and I, along with the rest of the family, are so grateful that Rob and Shelby found each other, he loved her, cherished her and knew exactly how to wind her up and she adored him. It was Rob that truly helped her to blossom and become all she was meant to be. It goes without saying that Rob will always be part of our family. I know that wherever she is now she’s surrounded by people who love her, Granddad Collis, Granddad Boarer, Nanny Sheila, Timmy and I know she’s cuddling baby Maisy. She’s probably up there now organising a crèche and telling everyone how things should be done properly. And I know when my beautiful sister June and my amazing mum passed, Shelby was the first one there to meet them with her big beautiful smile and her great big cuddles. There are just too many stories to tell and too many people to mention. However, if you have any stories to tell then please tell them on here as the family takes great comfort from hearing about the Shelby you knew and loved.