HARTMAN
With sweet memories we won’t ever forget, our hearts ache as we announce the passing of Shelly-Lynn Hartman of Bluffton, Alberta. Shelly passed away at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the age of 56 years. With the wind blowing through her hair and the sun on her back, Shelly has gone riding…
On September 30, 1967, Shelly was born to Floyd and Shirley Hartman. Her arrival in this world was long-awaited, and they were so excited when she finally made her entrance. The young family lived in Calgary for a time, relocating in 1976 to Hoadley, Alberta where they operated the Hoadley General Store. Together with her parents and her brother Kurt, Shelly worked in the store as she grew up. Along the way, Floyd and Shirley purchased the Winfield Shop Right store, where again both kids helped with the day-to-day tasks of that business as well.
Shelly attended the Bluffton School, relocating to the Bentley Christian Training Centre to finish her junior high and high school education. She was a very determined and able person, and was very keen to achieve great things. Whatever it was that she wanted to accomplish, she sure did! As a young person, Shelly figure skated at a high level of competition, and taught skating lessons too. She enrolled into a secretarial college in Regina, Saskatchewan, and that started a new adventure of employment opportunities that opened many doors for her. Shelly worked a couple of stints at Circle Square Ranch in Halkirk, Alberta; she worked for a few newspapers, the Rimbey Record and the Ponoka newspaper as a photographer, reporter, and a typesetter; and she also worked at the Sundre Round-up paper as a typesetter as well. The girl could certainly proofread and type! Shelly was always looking for any new opportunities, and she absolutely loved to learn. This desire then sent her to Red Deer College, where she took courses as an educational assistant.
Returning back home, Shelly worked at the Bluffton School for a while, and it was during this time that she married and moved to Stettler, where her son Jackson was born. Her aspirations to move forward in life enabled her to later return to Red Deer College to upgrade her studies in the line of social work. Shelly further excelled in this endeavour, and took the bold step of moving with Jackson to Drumheller where she could perform her duties in the field of social work.
Shelly then received an opportunity to further advance her education again, registering in many additional courses that would eventually gain employment as a probation officer. This was truly Shelly’s passion. Together with her son they embarked on a new journey, moving to Edson where she served in Alberta’s correctional services for several years. As a probation officer, this was Shelly’s life’s work. She found fulfillment in the profession, and she was good at it. There were a couple of “near misses” that almost took her life, but that did not deter her. She was an independent woman, and she loved that attribute in herself.
As a mother, Shelly absolutely loved following Jackson around with all of his extra-curricular activities, especially when pursuing his passion for basketball. She treasured having a house full of his friends, particularly when there was always a dinner table full of boys. Shelly loved every second of being a great mom.
Shelly was also an avid traveller, and loved to venture on trips – some destinations that were planned – and others where she was just “winging it”! When Shelly’s mom passed away, they returned to Red Deer where she finished up her work for the government, and retired from the profession she always took the greatest pride in. From time-to-time Shelly would bring out “the badge”… and what a smile that would give her!
Upon her retirement, Shelly moved back to Bluffton where she found a new passion, her Spyder! She purchased it outright after consulting with her brother and doing tons of research online. She even took a course in Red Deer to become a full-fledged, and fully-licensed rider. Shelly fell in love with letting the wind blow her hair back. Donning black leathers and a purple dew-rag, with a phone full of her favourite Post Malone rap music, “Shel Storm” was reborn. She travelled with her friends, Kim, Jodi, and Kristen, and nothing could stop her! She loved her ride and loved hitting the open road, even if it was simply going to Bluffton for the mail! She always joined in on family rides, and was thrilled to take her dad on Father’s Day for a “little rip”. Shelly was so happy to transport her passengers whenever it was needed, but mostly, her little niece Meg was her constant companion.
Shelly had every reason to be proud of herself. This little baby girl that struggled her whole life with illness, accomplished many things in her short lifetime. She became a mentor and a force to be reckoned with.
Shelly will be forever remembered and sorely missed by many.
May she eternally rest in peace.
“We love you, “Shel Storm # 4”!
Shelly leaves behind her loving son Jackson Alm of Red Deer; her brother Kurt (Kim) Hartman of Bluffton; and her father Floyd (Judy) Hartman of Bluffton. She also leaves behind her niece, Kristen (Derek) Gully of Rimbey; her nephew John (Brandy) Hartman of Bluffton; as well as her great-nieces and great-nephews Nathan, Rebecca, Jordyn, Megan, and Cora; in addition to many additional family members and countless treasured friends. Shelly was predeceased by her mother Shirley in 2018.
A Public Memorial Service in Celebration of Shelly’s Life will be held at the Hoadley Community Hall on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., with Kim Hartman hosting. Shelly will be laid to rest, together with her mother Shirley, in the Hoadley Cemetery at a later date. If desired, memorial donations in her memory may be made directly to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, #600, 3250 Bloor Street West, East Tower, Toronto, Ontario M8X 2X9 (www.cpff.ca). Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.
Service and Cremation Arrangements for the Late Shelly-Lynn Hartman entrusted to the care of
