Marie Louise Shelton

Marie Louise Shelton slipped away gently on the evening of January 6th after a lengthy illness. Marie was born on March 3, 1932 to A.C. and Cosette Hill in Vernon, TX. After high school, she moved to the Dallas area with her husband, Bill Shelton. There they raised their three children, Sherry-Lynn, Stephen, and Susan. Marie was active in Eastern Star, aspiring to, and achieving the title of Worthy Matron. She also began raising and showing Miniature Schnauzers, and studied to become a Veterinary Technician. She worked for a Dallas Veterinarian sharing her skill as a caring and compassionate animal lover. The veterinarian agreed to help Marie establish a pet grooming shop next to his practice, and her attention to making family pets look and feel their best created a successful business and loyal clientele. In 1980 Marie jumped at the opportunity to purchase 20 acres in Florence, TX where she built a modest home for herself, and many lost or abandoned dogs she couldn’t resist rescuing. Marie once again had the room to rekindle her passion for raising and showing Collies. Marie spent a few years working as a vet tech for a Georgetown Veterinarian, then began what would become the premier pet grooming shop in town, “Donnybrook’s Wagg’n End”. Local customers loved Marie’s attention to detail, and her mothering nature with their family pets. The dogs ruled! Her grooming shop served the Georgetown pets and their owners for approximately 20 years. During that time, she became the groomer of choice for the Georgetown Police Depts. first Police dog, “Kondos”, until his retirement, and his successor “Rookie”. Marie initiated and sponsored an annual dog competition/pet adoption extravaganza she called the “Pet-A-Fair”. She continued this promotion of pet love & ownership for years. Now the Georgetown Animal Shelter sponsors the annual affair as the “Pet Expo”. Marie’s love for life and family always made holidays special. In life, she easily made friends, both pets & people…and in her passing, will surely inspire warm, cherished memories for family and friends. She will be missed! Marie is survived by her three children, eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and m¬any nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited to Marie’s memorial service at 2pm Saturday January 22, 2011 at Lawler Baptist Church, 151 CR 230, Florence, TX 76527. Service arrangements are under the direction of The Gabriels Funeral Chapel and Crematory , 393 N. IH-35, Georgetown, TX 78627. Words of comfort may be shared with the family online at: www.gabrielsfuneral.com.