Shirley Jeanne Chatelain

November 19, 1925-January 3, 2024

Richmond, Virginia - Shirley Chatelain, 98, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2024. The daughter of A. Herrmann and Evelyn (Nash) Wilson, Shirley, was an only child. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Richard E. Chatelain and oldest child, Patricia Chatelain Deschamps on 12/3/2023. She is lovingly survived by her son, Rick, and wife Laura Chatelain of Plainwell, Michigan, her daughter, Judy, and husband, Rick Knechtel of Matthews, North Carolina, her daughter, Mary Beth, and husband Barry Parsons, of Richmond, Virginia and son-in-law Jeff Deschamps of Walkersville, Maryland. She is also cherished and survived by 10 grandchildren - Erin, Kris, Matt, Janette, Paul, Michael, Stephanie, David, Chris and Bobby, her 25 great-grandchildren and extended family.

Shirley grew up in Washington, D.C. among grandparents, many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and attended the University of Maryland, where she met her husband, Richard (Dick) Chatelain; they married December 19,1947. Her husband's work with the State Department exposed her to a world she would have never imagined-living in many states and internationally, before retiring to Gettysburg, PA. She had the opportunity to travel the world with her husband, extensively in Asia and Europe and later with friends to Egypt and Italy. She was always game for a new adventure and well into her early 90's would ask her grown children and grandchildren "where are we traveling next?"

Like her mother and mother-in-law, Shirley was a member of P.E.O. International. She would later become President of her local chapter and was recognized for 65 years of service to P.E.O. She often referred to herself as a "jack of all trades, master of none" because her many interests. She enjoyed golf, bowling, playing the piano, going to the theater. And you could regularly find her at a bridge table, a game she played well into her 80's. A life well lived, she worked as a travel agent and real estate agent for periods of time. Shirley also volunteered as a docent to the Eisenhower National Historic Site in Gettysburg and delivered meals to homebound seniors through the Meals on Wheels program.

A life-long United Methodist, Shirley was an active member of Gettysburg United Methodist Church until her move to the senior living community, Chancellor's Village, in Fredericksburg, VA. in 2009. A resident for 13 years, she transitioned from independent to assisted living over time always ready to participate in activities, in group outings offered. Shirley's family expresses their deep thanks and gratitude to the staff at Chancellor's Village for the exceptional care and support they gave her. They would also like to express their sincere appreciation to Suncrest Hospice of Richmond for their compassion and care of their mother, Shirley, promoting dignity at the end of her natural life.

Shirley will be remembered for her warm personality, her fun temperament and infectious smile. She had the gift of truly listening, only offering advice when asked and parceling out words of wisdom like precious gold nuggets. She loved chocolates and good wine. And a frequent expression she used that will live in infamy is "and this too shall pass..."

A celebration of life service for Shirley Chatelain will be held on March 23, 2024, at 11am. Location: Gettysburg United Methodist Church, 30 West High St., Gettysburg, PA., followed by a reception in the church Fellowship Hall. She will join her husband, her parents, her husband's parents being interred at Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: P.E.O. Foundation donations.peointernational.org Children's Hospital of Richmond http://chfrichmond.org/give or

YL younglife giving.younglife.org