Shelley K. Stall

Shelley was born in Austin, Texas in 1939 to Francis Thomas Bolton and Melvin Robert Kalmbach. Besides spending some time in Jarrell, Van Alstyne, Germany, and Lago Vista, Shelley spent most of her life in Austin, the city she loved.

Forging lifelong friendships at University Junior High (UJH), Shelley continued onto Austin High School, graduating in 1957. She attended the University of Texas in Austin and pledged Alpha Phi sorority. She thrived at UT, graduating in 1961 with a degree in Microbiology. Years later Shelley would return to the University of Texas, taking many business classes to learn how to manage her own affairs, and she was proud to be the oldest student in her classes.

With her Microbiology degree in hand, Shelley got a job at the State Health Department where she had a 20+ year career “looking at her little bugs” under the microscope. She specialized in Tuberculosis and even identified a new strain of TB during her tenure there. She loved solving scientific puzzles.

A devout Christian all her life, Shelley was raised in the Episcopal church and was a dedicated member of St. David’s Episcopal Church for many years. She later joined St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church where she enjoyed countless Bible study groups, retreats at Camp Allen, and church suppers. She eventually became a member of Daughters of the King and proudly wore her special DOK cross pendant at every opportunity.

Shelley married Bill Brewer in 1960, and they had two daughters, Brittney and Katy. Her girls were her pride and joy, and she loved bragging about them, while sharing photos and stories about their latest adventures. The tradition continued with her four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Above all else, Shelley loved her family, and this was evident in everything that she did.

Shelley followed in her mother’s altruistic footsteps and was a member of Zonta International, a service organization. She eventually became president and enjoyed traveling with this amazing group of women who devoted their time to helping others. Shelley was also the president of the Phoenix 100 Club and was a member of the Austin Women’s Business Group.

Known for her beautiful smile, Shelley radiated happiness. She loved throwing parties (for any reason at all). Her passion for “digging in the dirt” reaped great rewards – she always had the most beautiful yard on the block. She also enjoyed reading mystery novels, doing needlepoint, and watching the sunset – especially with John Dyal, in Lago Vista. She was quite the cook, making meatloaf, shrimp creole, pound cake, and decadent pies with the flakiest crust for countless occasions. Shelley’s true passion was traveling with her amazing travel partner, Dorothy McMillan, who was by her side for so many adventures.

Her travels spanned many corners of the world – Germany, Italy, England, Switzerland, Russia, China, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand…

Shelley is preceded in death by her father Melvin Robert Kalmbach, stepmother Mildred Kalmbach, mother Francis Thomas Bolton, stepfather George G. Bolton, and her dear partner John Dyal, and many relatives and friends. Shelley treasured her many animals – Hilda, Prissy, Tas, Rusty, Henry, Melvin, Ashes, and Millie.

She is survived by her daughter Brittney Nobles and her husband Jack Nobles, grandson Tim Zinsmeyer and his wife Erin Zinsmeyer, great grandchildren Harper and Joseph Zinsmeyer, granddaughter Holly Stump and her husband Elliot Stump, great grandchildren Madison, Olivia and Marshall Stump, daughter Katy Brewer Copley, grandchildren Francis Copley and George Copley, stepsister Andrea Kalmbach, and stepdaughter Audra Dyal Croft and her family. She is also survived by many cousins and friends, including her best friend, Gail Birdwell Barnes, who has not left her side since 3rd grade.

The family will be forever grateful to the many caregivers who held Shelley’s hand – and her family’s – throughout her extended journey with dementia; Kasy Cavazos, Mirtha Vargas, Keybe Duarte, Rita Berrones, Siliva Flores, Heather Messina, Carla Gagliano, Hailey Lowder, Imma Ndaryicariye, Darling Cortez, Maria Shofestall, Maria Mancillas, Crystal Mancillas, Hope Stark, and many more. Hospice Austin provided dedicated support for an extended period of time and the family would especially like to thank Flo Swarthout, Betty Buccholtz, Maddy Green, Michelle Guillot, and Connor Moran.

Donations can be sent to Hospice Austin. Kindly mail checks to Hospice Austin at 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78759 or send gifts using the online link, online form.

There will be a Celebration of Life held at Weed-Corley-Fish, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, Texas 78731, at noon on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Following the service, lunch will be provided by Maudie’s, Shelley’s favorite TexMex.