From Costantino Marmo

Shona on my mind

Today (July 20, 2013) a really weird and moving thing happend to me.

I was thinking of Shona, as often happens, and suddenly the name of a friend of her, Ashley, came to my mind, a friend to whom Shona introduced me many years ago, here in Bologna. At that time she was finding her way in the world of music as singer. Shona, later on, gave me also some tapes of her second album - that I can’t find anymore, by the way -    and I could appreciate her wonderful voice and beautiful songs.
“What did happen to her?” I was wondering and so decided to google “Ashley + Shona Kelly”: one of the result was simply astonishing. The link led me to a page of a small music store on line (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/amaher), where The Blessed Rain, a CD released in 1998 by Ashley Maher (that was finally her family name!), was reviewed by Shona: her voice (in my mind) told me that she loved this CD “The beauty and complexity of Ashley's music is astounding. I never tire of the rich poety of her lyrics sung with her honeyed voice and intricate rhythms. The deep emotions, intelligence, and diversity of her music on this cd are so satisfying. It's why we want music in our lives.” I could not believe it, was almost in tears. I finally downloaded all the CDs by Ahsley and got in touch with her on FB.

Listening to her songs I could still share something precious with Shona.

From Jan Kelly

Shona Elizabeth Marshall Kelly Wray was my niece, the elder daughter of my brother Jim, who went off to continue his studies at Brown, Rhode Island in 1955(?).  It was only for two years but  the next time we saw him was in June 1963.  He and Celia, pregnant with Shona, visited us in Hamilton.  I actually met Shona 3 years later.  I still remember her being rather suspicious of me when we were introduced but in no time at all we were good friends and remained so, despite not being together very often over the years.  Scotland and California are far apart, but it was always so easy to slip back with her and Maggi whenever we met up.
 
I have so many memories of Shona, none of them earth-shattering.  I have been looking back at photographs and other souvenirs , since Jim's devastating news.  Shona was a great correspondent: post cards (she knew, like my mother, her gran, how much I enjoyed receiving them), letters, emails and phone calls, always full of information about the family, whom she adored.  Shona was a wonderful cook, one of the few people I know who could create a terrific meal out of what many would think impossible.  (I like to think she inherited the genes from our mother, although Celia is a great cook, so who knows!)
 
I didn't know Shona the scholar and teacher very well, but now I do know how much admired and loved she was in that sphere too.
 
Shona's smile and laughter have been commented on by so many.  The smile lit the room.  The laugh could be rather naughty but after all she was from the Kelly family.  My grandmother (our father's mother) was apparently renowned for this sort of thing!
 
Unfortunately Shona did not really know her grandmother. I know it was a loss for our mother, who refused to travel to California, but she always loved to hear about the girls and all their activities.  Dad was rather reticent, maybe seeming disinterested, but this was not so. He too was very proud of his family.
 
My thoughts are, of course, with all of Shona's beloved familly, Randy, Shane and Alina.
 
Shona achieved so much in such a short time, loved and admired by so many in so many spheres.

From Gretchen Titus-Schmidt

Shona the Scout Mom

Shona and I became friends through our local Boy Scout Troop #381. Shane and my two boys were involved in a TON of campouts and all the things "Boy Scouts" do. Shona and I had some camping experiences with the Troop. Some were down right COLD but... we always seemed to find humor in it all. She always had a smile and a kind word. I will miss her.  

You all are in our thoughts and prayers.

Gretchen, Steven and Matt Schmidt
Prairie Village, KS

From Sara Marsico

Dear Maggi,

I just learned of Shona's passing. I remember that your parents were so proud of her, her experiences and her life. My thoughts are with your father, Jim (my mentor at Berkeley), Celia and you.

My deepest sympathies, Sara

From Lura Kilpatric

Memories of Shona

I'm Randy's aunt, though he is actually 3 months older than me. I've known Shona from a distance since he brought her for a visit when they were living in Denver. But I didn't get to really know her until the summer of 2010 when I came to NY for a visit. We went somewhere every day and Shona was always the tour guide. I've visited NY a few times now and it just seems so strange that she won't be here. I'll never forget an excursion she and I took to Manhattan one time. She had some research to do at a library, and I wanted to see an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum, so we each went to our destinations and met up for lunch and exploration. Guide book in hand, Shona read to me about the history of the West End, while we sat in a little Greek cafe. We walked and walked, and had so much fun. She spotted a huge bouganvilla that was climbing up the side of a building somewhere in the West End. She was quite taken with the size of the thng, and since then I can't see one without thinking of her. I bought a little bouganvilla and planted it last week in her memory. I hope it grows huge and climbs up the side of my house.
I'm visiting NY right now, and will be here for a month to help out and keep the kids company while Randy travels. Exploring Manhattan will never be the same, though I did find her guide book and plan to take it with me when I go tomorrow.