Shelley Lee Drury

Shelley Lee Drury, age 70 of Portland, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at the home she shared for over 40 years with her husband, Patrick.

Shelley was born on August 8, 1952, in Portland, OR, to Lee and Delores Grimm. The oldest of 6 children, Shelley grew up in southeast Portland and attended Richmond Elementary and Franklin High School.

She married Patrick “Pat” Drury on May 10, 1968, and together they raised four children. The great love of each other’s lives, Pat and Shelley were married for 53 years, until his passing in May 2021.

Shelley loved spending time with her children and their families, including her 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. “Gamma,” as they lovingly called her, always said that her family was what kept her going. They gathered at each other’s homes, celebrated birthdays and holidays together, camped, traveled, and supported each other through moments of joy and grief. One tradition Shelley loved was when the family would meet at her home on Halloween to show off the kids’ costumes before they headed out to trick or treat her neighborhood. She also loved their beach trips, camping at Pine Hollow, vacations to Mexico, and a more recent trip with her son, Jeff, to Memphis. There, they visited Graceland, the home of her first love, Elvis Presley.

“Mama Shelley” loved to karaoke, and she and Pat grew to cherish their many friends at Chopsticks, a local gathering place for connecting with friends. Her soulful voice, laugh, and kindness will be missed dearly.

Shelley worked in Nutrition Services at Portland Public Schools for over 22 years, working at Cleveland High School and Harvey Scott Elementary School. Doing so wasn’t just a job to Shelley. She took the children into her heart and loved connecting with them and asking about their day and their lives. She gave her love unconditionally and without reservation and considered the children she served her own.

Shelley will be greatly missed by her children, Jennifer (John) George, Jeff Drury, and Shawna Drury (Shawn Oxford), all of Portland; 6 grandchildren, Kyle George (Phoenix Jones), Kayla George (Damon Gentry), Breonna Drury, Gabriel Llaneza (Maria Villasis), Terra Drury, and Justice Drury; 5 great grandchildren, Mason, Miles, Lynnea, Elvis, and D’Angelo; brothers, Mike (Kathy) Grimm of Gresham and Harry (Shelly Jo) Drury of Clackamas; sister, Lori Frias of Clackamas; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The angelic choirs of heaven warmly and joyously welcomed Shelley to their midst, and her voice now joins with other family members whom she loved and held so dear – her husband, Patrick; their son, John; mother, Delores Drury; and sisters, Debbie Ravagni and Linda Schnackenberg.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Holman’s Funeral Home on Saturday, January 7, 1:30 p.m., 2610 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland. A reception will follow at Chopsticks, 3390 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland.

Shelley’s family wishes to thank everyone for their kind gestures of love and support.