Joanne June (Gemmill) Shelley

Joanne J. (Gemmill) Shelley, 87, of Windsor, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2026 at her residence. She was the wife of Robert K. Shelley to whom she would’ve been married for 68 years on August 24, 2026.

A Celebration of Life Tribute Service will be held 12:00 noon, Thursday, August 27, 2026 at Olewiler and Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion, with Certified Celebrant Amy M. Favorito officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM -12:00 PM. Burial will take place at Susquehanna Memorial Gardens.

Born August 27, 1938 in Red Lion, she was the daughter of the late Joseph D. and Mary M. (Markey) Gemmill. A 1957 high school graduate of Red Lion High School, she worked before graduation cleaning and babysitting for neighbors. After graduation, Joanne attended beauty school and worked at Rachel Kauffman Beauty Shop in Dallastown for over a year before settling into family life as a homemaker in the early years of her marriage. She worked briefly at Shaffer’s Green House grading carnations as well as an Avon Lady, and a seamstress at Curtain Call Costumes. The majority of her working days were spent supporting the many entrepreneurial businesses that she and her husband, Bob, started together; cleaning laundromats, taking calls, doing book work and billing, running Sunnyburn Store and managing the attached apartments for 10 years before retiring.

Throughout her life, but especially in retirement, Joanne enjoyed sewing, quilting, embroidery, knitting, and gardening. She was very proud of the handmade gifts she was able to give to each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She continued this passion until just weeks before her passing.

She, along with Bob, was a member of the Lions Club and traveled extensively to conventions and forums in the United States and internationally. She enjoyed traveling and camping and spent much of retirement traveling across the United States in a camper, enjoying extended family vacations across the East coast, and ultimately wintering in Florida and returning for summers in Pennsylvania to be closer to family, a place where she always longed to be.

She was also a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

In addition to her loving husband, Robert, she is survived by four children, William M. Shelley, Chrystal A. Shelley and her husband Mark Petruzella, Cathy Shelley Smith, and Holly M. Shelley Keich and her husband Brian Keich; ten grandchildren, Mark and Nanielle Shelley, Casey, Seanne, and Evan Petruzella, Rainor and MacKade Smith, Ellee Willard, and Hayden and Bailey Keich; two great-grandchildren, Bodie and Banks Willard; as well as several nieces and nephews. She is preceded by a son, Bryon K. Shelley and a sister, Sharon Boyd.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mrs. Shelley’s honor can be made to the American Cancer Society at American Cancer Society or American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Memorial contributions can also be made to Cancer Patient Help Fund by WellSpan York Health Foundation at www.wellspan.org/donate or 50 N. Duke St., Second Floor, York, PA 17401, c/o the York Health Foundation.

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