Shirley Maxine Kells

Shirley Maxine Kells, longtime Show Low resident, passed away July 19, 2017 in Payson, Arizona. Shirley was born on June 22, 1935 to Hannah and Arnold Sharratt in Balaton, Minnesota. She was one of 5 children; she had 2 brothers and 2 sisters.In 1967, after the death of her husband Laurence Peterson she moved to Phoenix, Arizona with her 3 young daughters. In Phoenix she met Robert Kells and they were married in 1968.Shirley did many years of volunteer work while living in Phoenix. She did braille for the Foundation for the Blind Children and also helped at Balsz Elementary School at the library. While in Show Low she was active for years in Show Low's "Friends of the Library."When Bob retired in 1984 they moved to Show Low. After his passing she moved into town where she attended activities at the Senior Center. Eventually she moved to the Senior Center apartments. She loved all of her friends and the games. In November of 2016 she found out that she had terminal cancer, so she moved to Pine, Arizona to live with one of her daughters.Shirley is survived by 2 daughters: Vicki Smith of Show Low, Arizona and Patti Anderson and husband John of Pine, Arizona. Sister Mary Forsythe of Madelea, Minnesota. Seven grandchildren: Kellsey Smith Ballard of Buda, Texas, Jodi Jones of Show Low, Ken Anderson of Aurora, Colorado, Melissa Miller and husband John of Goodyear, Arizona, Heath Kenyon of Arizona, Wyatt Kenyon of Phoenix, Arizona and Kurt Kenyon of Arizona and numerous great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband Robert Kells, daughter Kathy Kenyon, both of her parents, brothers: Merlin Sharratt and Lyle Sharratt and sister Darlene Pilchardt.The family requests donation please be sent to: Arizona Care Hospice at 928-535-5353 or info@azcarehospice.com. Arrangements were handled by Owens Livingston Mortuary-White Mountain Chapel in Show Low, Arizona.