Shayley L. Estes, 22
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Shayley Lynell Estes, 22, of Phoenix, Ariz., formerly of North Adams, died Friday, July 24, 2015, at her home.
Born in North Adams on Nov. 28, 1992, daughter of Shannon Estes of Tempe, Ariz., and of Eric Ely of Pittsfield, she spent her childhood in North Adams before attending Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe for her freshman and sophomore years. She returned to North Adams in 2009 to finish her junior and senior years at Drury High School, where she was an active and ambitious student, always willing to try something different and make new friends.
She played the tuba in the school band and was a member of the tennis and bowling teams and a summer ultimate Frisbee league. She was the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships and graduated with honors with the class of 2011. She had studied at chemistry at Arizona State University and was enrolled at Mesa Community College at the time of her death.
Ms. Estes was employed as an office assistant at US Air Solutions in Tempe, Ariz., where she was loved by her colleagues.
She treasured the relationships she had with her family. She loved her mother, whom she considered her very best friend. They shared a special bond and connected with a care-taking nature that was shown in her love for animals and humanity. They supported each other through everything and always found ways to have fun.
Her brothers Ryan, Dylan, Devyn and Donovyn, and nephew, Kayden, meant the world to her. She always new how to brighten up their day and showed her love for them with special trips to the amusement park, tickets to hockey games, special gifts "just because." She shared in memories with her father; whether it be riding ATVs or taking boating trips, they made a lasting impression, sparking her own sense of adventure. She was always there to provide encouragement and love. She enjoyed beautiful memories with all of her grandparents whom she loved dearly and filled their lives and hearts with and everlasting joy.
She cherished her two dogs, Bruin and Reptar, and often took them along on her many excursions. She was an avid hockey fan and regularly attended ASU and Arizona Coyotes games with her friends and nephew.
To her family, Ms. Estes was welcomed, with the open arms of our loving God, into the fullness of joy in Heaven. With a fiery spirit and warm heart, she faithfully lived out the words of her favorite Psalm, 27.1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
She was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend to many. She was passionate, fearless, bright, optimistic, and a humanitarian who cared deeply for the needs of others. She inspired those around her to be the truest form of themselves and often did so with honesty and humor.
She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her beloved mother and best friend, and her father; her four brothers, Ryan Estes, Dylan Walden, Devyn Walden and Donovyn Walden, all of Tempe; her maternal grandparents, Gail Burdick of Brunswick, N.Y., Earl and Debbie Estes of Clarksburg and Wesley Burdick of Pownal, Vt.; her paternal grandfather, Gerald Ely of Pittsfield; two aunts, Melissa Estes of North Adams and Kristie DiNicola of Pittsfield; three uncles, Scott Estes of Newmarket, N.H., Jay Ely of Peru, Matt Burdick and his wife, Christina, of Lake George, N.Y; 10 cousins, John Liebenow and Alicia Benoit and her husband Jake, Nicole Liebenow and her fiance, Joe Copeland, all of Adams, Josh Liebenow of North Adams, Alexandra Ely, Jared Ely, Joseph Jennings, Marco DiNicola and Justin DiNicola, all of Pittsfield, Luke Burdick of Lake George, Christa Levesque and her husband, Scott, of North Adams and her two beloved dogs.
She was predeceased by her paternal grandmother, Kathryn Ely.
"Shayley will live forever in our hearts and in God's radiant and shining love: 'Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light.' (Sarah Williams)"
FUNERAL NOTICE — A funeral service to celebrate the life of Ms. Estes will be held on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in North Adams. Burial will follow in Clarksburg Cemetery.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorial contributions are made to the funeral home to create a scholarship fund or to Second Chance Animal Center in Shaftsbury, Vt.