Shelly Lynn Gurba

On December 19, 2022, the world bid a heartfelt farewell to Shelly Lynn Gurba. She fought a valiant battle with first breast, then brain cancer, but finally succumbed to it.

Shelly loved her partner, Wanda, her family and friends and enjoyed golfing, travelling and fine dining.

In her 30 plus years of teaching at EPC and the CAVE in Athabasca, she helped many students get their high school diplomas. No matter what their circumstances were, she would do whatever she could to help them graduate. She may have had a few choice words for some but still did what she loved. While teaching, she was treasurer for her local ATA, was involved in the Island Lake council and served one term on the Athabasca Town council. She always had her hand up to volunteer for one thing or another. If there was any school fundraiser, she was the first to donate. We won’t talk about all the online auctions.

Even after retirement, she still had a need to work, a trait she inherited from her hardworking parents. She loved her brief part- time job with Canada Post and could be seen running, not walking, around Athabasca like the Energizer Bunny.

There will be no formal service at Shelly’s request. A celebration will take place July 2023 (date to be announced later) at Hidden Valley Golf Course where she spent 11 summers golfing, helping organize HV golf tournaments and entertaining family and friends. Shelly wanted to have beverages available for her family and friends on that day and to make this day a happy celebration of life. No tears, please.

Shelly is survived by her loving partner, Wanda, her loving parents, Ray and Vicky Gurba, and her brother Kelly, sister-in-law Michelle and niece, Reagan, as well as other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Red Cross' Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. Donations may be made online at https://www.redcross.ca/donate/appeal/donate-to-the-ukraine-humanitarian-crisis-appeal#9cfdcd2b-85a7-4899-ada2-f8bdae8d0939 or via mail to Canadian Red Cross, Alberta Office, P.O. Box 4050, STN C, Calgary, AB, T2T 9Z9. 

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