Mary N Shelton

Born in White Plains, NY on December 9, 1929 Departed on August 31, 2018 and resided in White Plains, NYVisitation: Ballard Durand - White PlainsFriday September 7, 2018 9:00am to 9:30amFuneral Service: Ballard Durand - White PlainsFriday September 7, 2018 9:30amBurial: Kensico CemeteryFriday September 7, 2018 Following Service

Mary Nellie Shelton, born December 9, 1929 to the late Cora and Robert Castleberry resided with her family in Greenburg and was educated there in the public school system. After graduating from high school she worked for Philips Photo in Elmsford, NY.
Mary met the late Packy Leroy Shelton and prior to marrying they began physically building 49 Manhattan Ave. They married in 1956 and from their union they had two children: Packy O'thry and Mary Ann. Over the years, they were also surrogate parents to Gloria Joy Copeland Herrera, Kevin and Kenny Mays, Kevin Peart and Nancy Hall. Mary and Packy were "trend-setters" in their own right. They had a love for organic gardening and fostered healthy living. With a modest income and a heart for the community, Mary and Packy nurtured a love for travel and adventure in all. They included as many children as could fit in their "no frills" station wagon traveling the speed limit on annual family trips to Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard and on various other seasonal outings. Together, they were incredibly active in the community.
Mary possessed many skills. She enjoyed latch-hook crafts, DIY projects, and most of all growing flowers. She was a collector as well having amassed over 300 magnets from around the world and various events. Mary loved good food and snacks, especially receiving culinary delights from Mike Wolin, Ernest Walthall, niece Rosalind Storms, nephew Val Castleberry, and Patrick Batson. She also liked to keep in touch with family via phone calls that boarded on harassment.
Mary's greatest passion was working at the Theodore D. Young Community Center. She dedicated 32 years of her life there. She especially loved the USA League Fast Swim Team coached by her "son from another mother" Theodore "Ted" Dowey. Mary provided a great deal of support and assistance to the team and TDYCC swim patrons. She also loved receiving long stem Red roses annually from Yzette, Norman and Stormjames Lipton. They lovingly referred to her as "Miss Mary" the "snack lady" but she was also the Center's "Sheriff" often chastising patrons for nonpayment of services rendered. Her love for the Center was so great that when she retired on a Friday in 2014, she returned to work that Monday and continued to work until her health began to fail.
After that time, she periodically visited the Center for special events until she was moved into The Grove at Valhalla Rehabilitation and Nursing Center where she took her last breath on Friday, August 31st.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband Packy L. Shelton, sister- Mildred (Frederick) Storms, brothers-Leon Castleberry, Adolphus "Buddy" Castleberry, Robert "June" (Elizabeth) Castleberry, John (Virginia) Castleberry, Floyd (Delores) Castleberry, Andrew Callaway, Jack Callaway, brother-in-laws Walter (Margaret) Shelton, and William (Dorothy) Shelton.
Mary leaves to cherish her memory: sister, Corrine Harris; children Packy O. and Mary Ann Shelton; grandchildren Dr. Morgan and Justin Jenkins, Amber Nicole Chisolm, Erica Freeman, Aquilla Mays, Ashley, Troy and Brandon Shelton; great grandsons Chase Alexander Jenkins "the wind beneath Mary's wings" and Eli Julian Shelton; sister-in-law Josephine Lewis, God son Kevin Rogers, lifelong friends Glenna Smith, Cecelia Rogers, and Lillie Green, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Repast will be at the Theodore D. Young Community Center, 32 Manhattan Avenue, White Plains, NY 10607 following the interment.