Elizabeth Shelley, age 95, of Milford, N.H., died late Friday afternoon on September 30, 2011. She had recently been hospitalized for heart disease and pneumonia.

Elizabeth was a warm, caring, liberal person with a strong commitment to her religious tradition. She enjoyed reading, gardening and supporting her community.

Ona Elizabeth Wills was born on October 17, 1915 in Portland, Oregon, to James Lee Wills and Ona Ruth Watson. She grew up in Seaview, Washington. Ona Elizabeth graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington in 1938 receiving her Bachelor’s Degree. She moved to Chicago and trained to be a social worker at the University of Chicago where she met Harold Shelley, a divinity student studying to be a Unitarian Universalist minister.

Ona Elizabeth moved to Tacoma, Washington where she married Harold on September 15, 1940. At this time she decided to drop Ona and became known as Elizabeth Wills Shelley. They raised three children while traveling to many different states following Harold’s ministry work. They subsequently lived in San Jose, California, Melrose, Massachusetts, Waldwick, New Jersey, and Shaker Heights, Ohio. Elizabeth divorced in 1967 moving to the Milford, NH area. Elizabeth bought first and only home at what was then 14 ½ Elm Street in Milford.

She taught school in Pelham, NH, becoming a reading specialist, and earned a Masters degree in Education from Lesley College in 1975. Elizabeth was passionate about her church and community and took the opportunity to volunteer wherever possible. She was a volunteer with the Women’s Informational Service, the Interact drop-in center, and the Friends of the Library. She also served for more than fifteen years as the Registrar for Rowe Camp and Conference Center in Rowe, MA.

Elizabeth was recently described as an “icon” by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Milford and received the Susan B. Anthony Award from that congregation in 1992. She enjoyed Scrabble, quilting, making cards and bookmarks from dried flowers, and other crafts to support her church. She loved to travel and was able to continue well into her 80s. Her trips included travel across the United States, especially enjoying New Mexico; as well as travel to Alaska, Russia, and trips to Transylvania connecting with the “sister congregation” of her church. She was politically active and aware, supporting many local candidates.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Karen, on December 25, 2010. She is survived by her loving sons Eric Griffin-Shelley of Lafayette Hill, PA, his wife Helen, their children Eric Jr. “Griff” and Megan; and Gregory Shelley of Milford, his wife Cathy, their children Carlon Guyette and Christopher Guyette.

Elizabeth’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 20 Elm Street, Milford, N.H. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Karen Lee Shelley Memorial Fund, C/O Gregory Shelley, 162 Mount Vernon Road, Milford, N.H. 03055.