It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of a wonderful woman, Shelly Michaud, at home in her 60th year.

Shelly, the daughter of Cheryll Winters, was predeceased by her adoptive parents, Charles and Margaret Michaud, her brothers Ernest Michaud and Len Rodgers; her brothers-in-law Larry Mooney and Doug Winters and her niece Tracie. Shelly will be sadly missed by her adopted siblings and their families with whom she shared a special bond: Carol-Anne Mooney, Len’s wife Betty Matthias, Cheryll Winters, Carol Elder and her husband Phil, Danny (Charles) Michaud and his wife Joan, and David Michaud and his wife Heather; and her sisters-in-law Sharon Taylor and Dean Michaud. Shelly will also be sadly missed by her sister Debbie Winters and her husband Jamie Claus and her brother Christopher Winters. Shelly was the proud niece of many aunts and uncles and always loved to visit with Aunt Joyce, Aunt Betty, Uncle Roland and Aunt Edna. She was an even prouder aunt of many nieces and nephews: Debbie, Tracie, Kelley, Mary, Matthew, Sean, Wayne, Brian, Lisa, Bernadette, Lori, Tanya, Jeffery, Paula, Shawna, Melanie, Sara, Maria, Pamela, Miranda, Lee, Matt and all their families.

Shelly was always happiest when she was holding young babies at family events and was delighted to hear when one of her nieces or nephews was having another child or grandchild. She knew there was another possibility to cuddle a baby at the next family party. Shelly will be remembered as always happy and smiling and was happiest when she was spending time with her family. Her infectious smile and kind heartedness will be missed by all who knew her.

Shelly was a strong woman who faced many challenges in her life, all with dignity and grace. Her courage was an inspiration to all who knew her. Shelly lived most of her life, with care provided by Rygiel Supports for Community Living and will be deeply missed by all her Rygiel family and friends. The staff at Rygiel allowed Shelly to live as independently as possible and have a meaningful life with special relationships. Attending the Rygiel Day Program allowed Shelly to pursue her creative talents by painting, drawing, sculpting, scrapbooking, and most of all singing and listening to music. Shelly loved music, of any kind, anywhere, including singing at the day program or at Friendship Club. She loved musicals on television and at the theatre, but nothing was more special than the songs she wrote and composed with her music therapist and dear friend, Rebecca Magill. Their latest creation was "Moving Song" all about moving to her new home with her best stuffed friends, George and Georgette.

Shelly's passions also included arts and crafts, working at Terra Greenhouses, camping, travelling, watching the soap opera Y & R, parties, Hallowe'en, celebrating her birthday and shopping. Shelly would shop anywhere, anytime, at any store, thrift shop or sale and it had to be a planned part of her travels to Edmonton and Montreal when she went to visit her family.

Rygiel staff made all of these things and more possible for Shelly. Her family would like to thank all the people at Rygiel, including both the executive and supervisory staff and those who were involved in Shelly's daily care and life. You are very special people; you were all Shelly's "Angels on Earth". We would also like to thank her family doctors, Dr. Rebecca Steen and Dr. Myles Ashall and their staff, her specialists, occupational therapists, and speech and language pathologists for all their exemplary care, and Motion for maintaining her wheelchair and lift that allowed her to be independent in the community. Many thanks to Simrit, Shelly's coordinator at Ontario Health at Home, the palliative care outreach team and her visiting nurses, Sandy, Katarina and Clarissa, who were instrumental in guiding us along the way to provide the best care for Shelly. Thank you to each one of you for providing Shelly with the care she needed to live her best life possible.

Visitation will be held at Bay Gardens Funeral Home, 947 Rymal Road East HAMILTON (905-574-0405), on Thursday, December 18th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm and on Friday December 19th from 2:00 pm to 3:00pm. Shelly’s Celebration of Life will begin at 3:00 pm followed by a reception. At Shelly’s request, please dress casually and wear “no black, only bright colours” to her service.

Livestream link: https://my.forever.link/shelly-ann-louise-michaud

Cremation has taken place. A private family burial will take place at East Lawn Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to make a donation to Shelly’s favourite charity: the SPCA of Hamilton & Burlington, 245 Dartnall Road, Hamilton, Ontario, L8W 3V9 or Rygiel Supports for Community Living, 220 Cranbrook Drive, Hamilton, Ontario, L9C 5V7