Shelley Margaret McArthur (Elderkin), age 63, passed away in her sleep on August 5, 2026, in St. George, Utah. She was born on December 5, 1962, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Phillip “LaVern” Gaffney and Leila Lorene (Hoskins) Gaffney, and was lovingly raised by her adoptive parents, John Dale Elderkin and Josephine Esther (Canfield) Elderkin in Vinton, Iowa. She was a widow.

Shelley spent her career first raising children, then as an optician, helping countless people see the world more clearly — and building a glasses collection to rival any of her patients'. She found her greatest joy seeking an adventure, cruising, boating with family, parasailing or swimming with manta ray, and could be found most mornings, afternoons and evening at Starbucks. Later in life, Shelley reunited with her biological family, forming close bonds with her siblings and her mother, Leila, and the extended Hoskins family — a reunion she treasured. But nothing lit her up quite like her latest title, “Grandma” to Tanner and Sydney, whether she was sharing tic-tacs, ‘sneaking’ them treats from Starbucks or fighting them for the corner piece of cake with extra frosting. She cherished that role.

She married Terry John McArthur, on November 2, 1985 in Las Vegas, NV where they raised their family before moving to Southern California in 1992, then Southern Utah in 2017. Terry preceded her in death on May 12, 2024.

Survived by her daughter, Hollie E Villaluz (Robert); her son, Qwentin T McArthur (Joann Stevens); grandchildren Tanner and Sydney McArthur; her biological siblings Eugene “Shine” Richards and Brenda Madsen; and many beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins on all sides of her family.

Preceded in death by her husband, Terry John McArthur; her adoptive parents, John Dale Elderkin and Josephine Esther Canfield Elderkin; her adoptive brother, John Nathan Elderkin; her biological parents, P. LaVern Gaffney and Leila (Hoskins) Gaffney; and her biological sister, Cindy Pierson.

In keeping with Shelley's wishes, she was cremated and services were private. The family asks that instead, you celebrate her life with the people you love — with a cheers to Shelley, margarita in hand (coffee or mocktail welcome too). Hold your loved ones close; life is short, and tomorrow isn't promised.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at mcarthurfuneralservices.com, under the care of McArthur Funeral Home and Cremation Center, her Facebook, or with Hollie Villaluz directly.