Shelby Delgado

Shelby Delgado, 61, of Robinson, IL, passed away on November 5, 2025, at Deaconess Memorial Medical Center in Jasper, IN. She was born on March 15, 1964, in Grundy, VA. She grew up on the north side of Chicago, but her story stretched far beyond any one place. She lived all over the city, and everywhere she went, she made it home. She built her life around family, creating the kind of stability and laughter she once longed for as a child. Her mission in life was simple but profound: to give her kids the life she didn’t have growing up.

She was a stay-at-home mom, but that title hardly captures it. Shelby wasn’t just raising her own kids; she was the heartbeat of a big, sprawling family. She had a hand in raising everyone around her, leaving an indelible mark on those younger than her. When she became a grandmother, her heart only grew bigger. Her grandkids were her world, the light of her life. Nothing made her happier than hearing the sound of their laughter. Shelby herself was quick to laugh, and her laughter could turn even hard days into something soft and memorable. Even when things were hard — when the lights went out or money was tight — she found ways to make life feel light. Her family never saw the struggle; they just saw her joy.

Shelby had a deep appreciation for the world around her. She loved water: the rhythm of waves, the stillness of a lake, the sound of it in motion. It brought her peace. And when she looked up at the night sky, she found that same sense of wonder. Space, stars, the what-ifs of the universe, these things fascinated her. She was spiritual, open-minded, and endlessly curious. She believed in the unseen, in mystery, and in the small, quiet beauty of everyday life.

At the center of her world was her kitchen. Every morning started with coffee, and before long, the smell of something good was in the air. Shelby spoke through her food, especially her beloved Mexican dishes that honored her children’s heritage. She never followed recipes; she cooked from instinct, from love, from memory. Her food had a way of gathering people, feeding not just their stomachs but their spirits. Her love wasn’t limited to people, either. Shelby had a soft spot for animals and was known to feed the neighborhood squirrels and birds. She especially loved dogs, and if she ever hit the lottery, her loved ones have no doubt that she’d have opened an animal shelter. After all, her love and compassion were always looking for a place to land.

Shelby and her husband, Jose, lived out a kind of teamwork that became a model for the rest of the family. They taught their children how to care for a home, how to care for each other, and how to stand side by side through anything. Even after his passing, Shelby carried their shared strength forward, offering her family an unspoken calm; a kind of security that came not from what she said, but from who she was. There was a peace about her that people trusted. Shelby had a gift for calming storms, for listening without judgment, for knowing when to speak and when to simply be present. Her words, when she chose them, could steady you. She was selfless and sincere, an anchor for others even when her own heart was heavy. And now, our hearts are heavy from losing her. Yet her presence will always be felt in the simple, beautiful moments she taught us to cherish.

She is survived by five children, Miguel, Elena, Arturo, Jose, Melissa, and Frank; by her grandchildren, Arturo, Natalya, Ethan, Elisia, Cameron, and Conor; and by her sister, Bessie Duty. She was preceded in death by her husband of 27 years, Jose Jesus Delgado, and her parents, William & Velvia (Blankenship) Duty.

Shelby is to be cremated without a public service. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is assisting the family at this time.