Our mother, Diane Williams Shelby, of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away on July 10, 2023 at the age of 80, after a long struggle with multiple medical problems.

Diane was born on February 22, 1943 to Edna Harper (nee Stephens) in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating at the age of 16 from John Adams High School, she went on to study Romance languages at Howard University, becoming the first member of our family to attend college.

During her time at Howard, she met and married the Late Harold Thomas Shelby, Sr. MD.  After graduation they went on to have three children, Harold Jr., Bonita and Aimee.

After college she became one the first women in the field of computer programming, a new technology, while raising her children and preparing to attend law school.  She went on to graduate from Cleveland State University College of Law, serving as a lawyer for TRW as an environmental law compliance specialist.  Ever the over-achiever she also obtained an MBA while working and raising her family.  After successfully seeing all her children into college and graduate school, she changed careers completely, relocated back to Washington, DC where it all started and served her country.  First in the US Department of Commerce, then as a foreign service officer and political advisor for the U.S. Department of State until her retirement in 2009.

Catholic for most of her life, she was a very active member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church in D.C.

Diane was a passionate animal lover, cats in particular, and when she wasn’t filling her home with warmth, kindness and animals, she was in her beloved backyard in Washington, DC tending to the wild animals in her neighborhood. They will miss her as much as we do.

Diane was predeceased by her mother, Edna Harper, and is survived by her children, Harold Thomas Shelby, Jr., Bonita (Eric) Shelby Ward, and Amelia “Aimee” (Cordell) Shelby Nwokeji, grandchildren, Marcus and Spencer Ward, Adaora, CJ and Cameron Nwokeji, her beloved cats TOC and TOOC, hundreds of wild animals, and so very many friends here and abroad.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in Diane’s name to the Humane Society, ASPCA or the animal rescue organization of your choice.

Mom, you for serving your family, country and all living things every day of your life.  Thank you for inspiring so many with your courage and kindness.  Thank you for turning every hardship into a lesson.  Thank you for being one of a kind.  You were so loved, and your kind spirit will be so missed.

Harold, Bonita and Aimee