Shirley Guelda

With hearts full of love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of our mother, Shirley Ann Hettinger Guelda, who entered into eternal rest on June 9, 2026, with all her children and their spouses by her side.

She was born on August 12, 1938. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles, her third-born son, Daniel, her parents, Adeline (Kaelin) and Alvin John Hettinger, and four siblings, AJ Hettinger, Fred Mike, Linda Mike, and Louis Mike. She is survived by three of her siblings, Milton Hettinger, Bruce Mike (Debbie), and her sister, also her lifelong best friend, Patricia (Hettinger) Guelda; she is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Betty Hettinger (AJ), Susan (Guelda) Millay, Paulette (Guelda) Pate, and Betty Guelda (John), and her brothers-in-law, Robert Guelda and Joseph Ray. She was blessed with many extended family members that cherished her as a wise, Christian woman.

There are some people whose lives are measured not by accomplishments, titles, or possessions, but by the love they give away every single day. Our mother was one of those people. For 87 years, she quietly and faithfully lived a life devoted to God, her beloved husband, Charles, her children, her extended family, and to the countless acts of love that ultimately became her life’s greatest legacy.

She was the proud mother of Steve (Tamara), David (Marie), Danny (Renee’ & Gary), Tommy (Denise), James (Lisa), John (Paula), Paul, and Theresa (Charlie), a beautiful grandmother to 27 and a great-grandmother to 40, with another precious great-grandchild expected soon. As the family grew, so did her heart. As one granddaughter perfectly stated, “how bonkers and beautiful it is that she loved all of us so well that we all felt so special to her, because there are a lot of us!”.

Mom was the steady presence in our lives. The one who prayed when others worried. The one who cooked meals that brought everyone together (especially her fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, and blackberry cobbler). The one whose hands were never idle—sewing, gardening, quilting, cooking, making rosaries, or caring for someone she loved. The one who told her life stories to many so all would understand her humble beginnings and her deep love for our Dad. She never sought recognition. She never asked for praise. Her happiness came from serving others and from knowing her family was together, safe, and loved.

The most beautiful story of her life was the one she shared with our father, Charles. Their marriage of 59 years was a beautiful example of faithfulness, sacrifice, friendship, and enduring love. Anyone who knew them could see that from the day they met, they were a true love story. They built a family, a home, a successful plumbing business, and a legacy that will continue for generations. When Dad passed away, a part of Mom's heart went with him. Yet she continued on with grace, strength, and faith. She missed him terribly but carried his memory with her every day. She also carried the sorrow of losing her beloved son, Daniel. A mother never stops loving her children, and she held Danny close in her heart throughout the years she lived without him.

Faith guided every decision Mom made. Her Catholic faith was not something she practiced only on Sundays. From her childhood years at Louisville’s St. Joseph Orphanage, where the deep roots of her Catholic faith were planted, until her final days, she walked closely with God. Her faith was the foundation upon which she built her life, including all the financial sacrifices it took to send all eight of her children to St. Bernard Catholic grade school, DeSales High School, and Holy Rosary Academy. Just as Mary, the mother of God, led the faithful by example of faith, obedience, and love, so did our Mom. When possible, she attended Daily Mass, demonstrated total devotion in praying the Rosary, said countless prayers for others, and trusted in God’s providence. She believed deeply in the power of prayer, and she never stopped praying for her children. Many of us can visually picture her sitting at her front window, praying the Rosary while waiting for each of her teenage sons to come home at night. She so believed in the power of the Rosary that years ago she committed to making thousands of rosaries to donate to missionaries, prisons, first communion classes, the armed forces, and many other organizations. This is just some of the reasons why many have referred to her as “Saint Shirley”. Long before we understood it, her prayers and her life by example became one of the greatest gifts she ever gave us.

The world may see an ordinary woman who lived a simple life. We see something much greater. We see a woman whose love shaped generations. A woman whose prayers protected her family. A woman whose faith never wavered. A woman whose hands served, whose heart gave endlessly, and whose life reflected the love of the Blessed Mother and Jesus Christ.

While we will forever mourn her absence, we find comfort in imagining a joyful reunion with Dad, Danny, and all her loved ones who preceded her in death. We picture her hearing the words from Jesus, the words that she spent a lifetime preparing to hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Our family would like to pay special recognition to Paul, Theresa, and Renee for the unselfish, unwavering, and beautiful care they provided our mother during her illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 15th, at 10 am at St. Rita Catholic Church, 8709 Preston Hwy, where Shirley was a member. Interment will follow at Brookland Cemetery. Family and friends will be received for visitation on Sunday, June 14th, from 2-8 pm at Schoppenhorst Funeral Home, Okolona, 8519 Preston Hwy. In place of flowers, donations may go to DeSales High School.