Kathleen Marie Shelley

Kathleen Marie Shelley

 A lifelong resident of Santa Fe, Kathleen “Kataleena” Marie Shelley was born on May 15, 1957 in Santa Fe and passed away peacefully on December 13, 2024 in her family home with her dog Tootsie by her side. 

 Kathleen was born to the late Richard “Dick” Shelley and Helen “Dollie” Shelley. She is also predeceased by her brother, Gary Shelley. She is survived by her niece Melissa (Josh) Shelley-Fowler their children Marissa and MaKenzie, and her great niece Mariah Sereno Shelley. She is also survived by her niece Suzette (Cuylar) Shelley-Cercy and their son Liam Cercy; her dog Tootsie and many friends and family members. 

 Kathleen attended St. Michael’s High School where her father coached and established one of the state’s most successful basketball programs before his untimely death at the age of 36 on December 15, 1968. Kathleen also attended Santa Fe High School where she graduated in 1975. 

 Kathleen began working at a very young age and pursued a variety of interests. She worked as an X-ray technician at Christus St. Vincent’s Hospital (formerly St. Vincent’s Hospital) where her love for helping others enabled her to make many friends.

 Kathleen was well-known in the Santa Fe community for her generosity and volunteer work--- from her work with Art from the Heart, starting the Dick Shelley Scholarship program to support athletes around New Mexico, to sponsoring Christmas events for children in foster care.

 For many years, Kathleen owned and operated her restaurant “Katleena’s” on family property located on Old Santa Fe Trail. She served the delicious homemade sandwiches and sold antiques. She loved being a chef, restaurateur and collecting and selling unique antique items. 

 Continuing the passion of her dear mother Dollie, Kathleen collected and sold antiques and special collector’s items. She preserved her mother’s collection of antique Christmas ornaments and was known to have the most gorgeous Christmas tree in Santa Fe. For many years she hosted a fabulous Christmas party at her family home. 

 Kathleen was vibrant, caring and could make anyone laugh with her sense of humor. Kathleen was hardworking, creative, fun-loving and was always a loyal and supportive friend and will be missed by so many, but is now in heaven with her mother, father and brother. “Baile con los Angelitos.”

 Funeral services will be held on December 31, 2024 beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Basilica Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The services will begin with a Rosary at 12:30 p.m., the Eulogy at 12:45 p.m. and a Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. followed by a burial at Rosario Cemetery and a reception at The Sunset Terrace, 112 W. San Francisco St., Ste. 310, Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

 Honorary pallbearers are: Lester Cisneros, Barbara J. Vigil, Joyce Vaughn, Martha Mackel, Christine Delle Monache, Vangie Hoffman, Leroy Baca, Ronnie Vaughn, Mike Miera and Wendy Wilson