Just thinking of you Bubba, and I do miss you deeply. I truly hope to see you again 🙏 

To Shelva with love -

I remember you as the most beautiful flower among the many in your abundant garden.  I remember how you so loved and fretted over the health  and happiness of your beloved Aussie Shepard.  And I remember too that even the "good luck" crows felt your kindness when you daily fed them their "dinner" on the green grass of home.  

I'm thankful to your generous husband Bob for introducing us to you, after my young daughter and I met him through the love of pursuing all things horse. And I'm grateful too for having been able to get to know you and to share good times together upon this beautiful Earth. 

Shelva, you were a most remarkable and exemplary person in every way, the heart center of all that was good and beautiful at your farm and in the community of Clifton. Now as you rest in peace, may your  light continue to shine for your cherished family and friends who all  miss you so very much. 


Robert II, You &Your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May your mother’s soul Rest In Peace. 
With Love, Jeanette and Mike Parente

When I first met  Bob and Shelva the connection was horses. I enjoyed spending time at the barn with Bob, then would pop in to chat with Shelva before heading home.  When we started going to yard sales together the shopping duo was born. At one point buying a moped, Bob sat on it in the back of the horse trailer while Shelva and I were cracking up on the trip home knowing Bob was balancing in the back.   Our friendship snowballed into marathon trips to pick up decorations for any upcoming Holiday. When I was asked to have my house on the Cliftón tour, I was overwhelmed at the thought.  Shelva is the one that convinced me to participate. She said without hesitation that she already had the decorations she would put together in her mind. We shopped, carted so many items from her house to mine as she wanted it all to be perfect  and it was. 
Lunches, endless phone conversations and sitting in the driveway chatting away were wonderful times I will never forget.  Countless times she’d come over to give decorating advise at my request.  She was always spot on with her decorating.
I will cherish all of the memories over the years but especially the past months when I had the privilege of helping with Shelva’s care.
I must mention Krista, who trusted me enough to come and comfort Shelva whenever I wanted to be with her.  Without Krista, I can’t imagine how Bob and Shelva would have managed these last difficult months. 
I miss Shelva already ❤️


Shelva and I were dear friends for over 50 years. We met through Clifton Community Women’s Club. Our love of flowers, cooking, decorating and raising our children formed our bond together.
We had many “ Ethel and Lucy” moments, too many to share here, trips to Tennessee to visit my parents over the years, Shelva loved my parents and they loved her! 
We catered two weddings together before Travis and I started the Heart in Hand Restaurant including doing the flowers for the wedding  and the wedding cake.
Shelva shared in my three daughters lives, birthdays, graduations, marriages, and the  ups and downs of raising children.
They truly loved her and felt that she was part of our family.
Shelva helped me for three weeks in Key West to finish my cookbook, we sweated, cooked,  and finished the book.
Shelva helped me seasonally decorate Heart in Hand, we had so much fun designing, buying , executing each display, then Bob and my husband Travis would dine with us, always fun stories with Bob at the table.
Shelva also helped me many years catering.
She saved me from my face getting badly burned at a  catering job when she saw the 100 cup coffee urn topple, scalding liquid ready to hit my head, luckily it hitting my ankles and feet instead.
Shelva and I belonged to a truly great sisterhood of women that we called ourselves “ The Sexy Seven”, The group included Bette Faries, Betty Boyd, Diane Smith, Donna Nickum, Bev Lozito  and myself. 
We weren’t to restaurants for our birthdays and Christmas each year until we almost got thrown out of a restaurant for being too loud! We then started our celebrations in our homes, the luncheon would sometimes last until dark! After Travis and I moved to Leesburg, the group started coming to our farm for spend the night parties where we could really “ catch up” with our lives.
Shelva was a remarkable woman, caring, kind, a truly good soul.
I could not have had a better friend. 
I love you Shelva.






Shelva’s dear Clifton friends for over fifty years,  there were seven in the group, the group shared birthdays, Christmas, life events, trips, and spend the night parties together during those years. 
They were at the celebrations in each family’s lives as well as the ups and downs in life, true friends with a wonderful sisterhood bond. 
Shelva’s was dearly loved by all!



“Shelva was my beautiful wife.  Since she was 16 years old I loved her so much and I always will.    She worked hard as good wife and mother.”     Bob.  

This precious lady was beautiful and loved to sparkle with jewelry and bold colors but her smile was a true masterpiece!  Shelva loved holidays, decorating, flowers and entertaining family/friends.  She bravely stepped up and became a devoted caregiver when her husband Bob encountered physical challenges.  Despite difficulties, responsibilities and conflicts, she faced life with joy, energy, grace and love.  Shelva enjoyed helping people and she cheerfully celebrated the joys and delighted in the accomplishments of her family and friends. She enjoyed visitors and always had time to listen and talk of how she fiercely loved her children and 4 grandchildren unconditionally.  Nothing made her happier than her family or friends around the dinner table and I could always hear the smile in her voice when I telephoned.  Shelva had genuine concern for others and appreciated the kindnesses she was shown.  I loved her and spent a lot of time with Shelva and whether it was caregiving, gardening, crafting, dining, traveling, or just visiting, I truly appreciate what a blessing that time was. Shelva was a beautiful soul with passion who is tremendously missed.  

I’m really sorry to hear that Hehe passed. I’m Keeping you and Chase and everyone in my thoughts. I’m sorry that I didn’t get to see her recently and I miss her and Pop Pop a lot. I’m happy she got to go peacefully, but it’s still very sad. I’m going to miss the cards she always sent me and seeing her at the farm, those were some of my favorite times. Sending love to everyone. 

Marlene, Bob, Jeaneane, Jim, &
Shelva & Bib

I am so sorry to hear about Shelva’s passing. Know this, she has been one of the greatest of ladies I have had the opportunity to know and love. My life is more richer because of her. I shall never forget her as long as I shall live. Her good friend! J. J.

I loved my grandmother so much, I spent most of my childhood on their farm and it was the best years of my life. She was always so fun to be around and I was always involved in whatever they were doing. I loved our tractor rides down to the creek where we would spend hours in the woods and she would teach me about the different plants and wildflowers. She will be deeply missed, but I will have the memories forever. 

Shelva was so kind to me and welcomed me with open arms into her beautiful home. We had long conversations about American traditions. I had such a fun time on the farm with the horse, riding the golf cart, and spending time with the family. 
❤️Ava

In 1986, I joined Rocky Run Garden Club where I met Shelva and we became friends.  She planned the best Christmas tours of the White House for our club, where members would board a bus before dawn and travel into DC.  to view the decorations.  Then we would visit a museum and go to lunch.  She took care of every detail and made it a memorable experience for all.
Her Christmas parties were not to be missed!  Her home was always beautifully decorated and the food delicious.  Here again, she did it all herself.
When they moved to Clifton, the Rotas added many animals into their family.  She told great stories about their chickens, dogs, cats, horses and even a billy goat!  
We started our Red Hat group over 20 years ago and Shelva was a charter member.  We have had many fun times!
One of the best things that happened to Shelva after Bob had his stroke was the chance meeting she had with Christa Daniels.  Christa has been much more than a friend and caregiver to the Rotas.  I am sure she was God-sent and am thankful for all the love, care, time and attention she has provided.  God is good!
Shelva's interests were decorating, gardening, flower arranging, cooking and shopping (especially yard sales)...she was excellent at all of them.  I learned so much from her.
She loved the little town that she called home for over 45 years.
A cornerstone of Clifton is gone.

I met Shelva through Adora Payne, and Susie Worsham  many years ago.  I catered wih her and at her lovely home before she was just so sweet.  My memories of her was when I catered at her home for a function she had.  Every time I went outside and pass a certain spot she had this frog that would make noise when you walked by.  I was determined to find me one for my house I thought it was the coolest thing.  And I found one I think I found mine at "Crackle Barrel "and kept it for ever (lol) Rest on Shelva we will meet again sweet lady.
Gretchen Pearson

To my beloved mother and best friend, I will miss our long talks and all the laughter and tears we’ve shared throughout the years, we had a special bond between mother and daughter that will never be broken, you will always be in my thoughts and heart forever. 💜Sabrina

What a privilege to live across the street from Shelva and Bob for more than 20 years. Shelva was a bright light who  hosted incredible Christmas holiday parties, knew just the right gift to bring over, had the most interesting friends, and never stopped smiling, even after Bob's unfortunate stroke. No matter what time of day even when feeding the horses, she always looked pretty without a hair out of place, as if ready to walk back into Bob's office on Capitol Hill.  Even now when I look over at the Rota home, I half expect to see Shelva picking up her mail or sitting in the sun with Bob,.  We will miss her dearly.  What a grand lady she was and still is. 

We are praying for healing and light.  Remember she is in greater power to watch over you. Love you both ~ Adriana and Rodrigo Imaña 

Aunt Shelva was a beautiful person inside and out.  I have many memories of going to the farm growing  up and when I got older  and married i brought my kids to the farm. Uncle Bob and Aunt Shelva were very entertaining and I will miss Aunt Shelva and all she brought to this world.


My beautiful mother-in-law, my awesome sister-in-law and my two incredible daughters!

OBITUARIO

Shelva Jean Rota

6 octubre, 1936 – 10 marzo, 2022

Demaine Funeral Home – Fairfax

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