Claire Zenor Shelby

Claire Zenor Shelby passed away Friday, May 9, 2008 after an extended illness. She was born in Marshall, Missouri and was raised in Kansas City, Missouri, where she graduated from Central High School. She received her degree in Bachelors of Science in Education at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Claire taught elementary education in the Des Moines public schools from 1957-1961. After moving to Passaic, New Jersey with her husband Patrick, she taught in their public school system from 1961- 1970, whereupon she became an Educational Consultant for Science Research Associates (SRA), working with teachers in 14 states. In her later years, Claire taught pre-school music at the Asbury Day School from 1990 through 2000. Claire had been a resident of Lafayette for thirty-eight years. She was a very active community and church member, being involved in the Asbury Methodist Choir Program, Acadian Opera Society, USL Opera Guild, Lafayette High School Musical Productions, Cornerstone Volunteer Program, Chorale Acadianne Board Member, and finally, Shelby's Antiques with her husband Patrick, retired USL Professor of Voice. She served as Personnel Advisor for the Mu Theta chapter of Chi Omega. She was a Patroness of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity and recently received the Rose of Honor from the U of L Lafayette SAI chapter. She was also a member of Mortar Board and Kappa Delta Pi. Claire is preceded in death by her father, Dr. Earl W. Zenor and her mother, Faye Higgins Zenor, both of Kansas City, Missouri. She is survived by her husband Patrick, daughter Sara Shelby-Martin, son-in-law Tony Martin of Dallas, Texas, sister Mina Zenor Garman and brother-in-law Neil Garman, of Las Vegas, Nevada, brother and sister-in-law Nicholas and Barbara Shelby of Bethany, Missouri, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Visitation will be Sunday, May 11th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Delhomme Funeral Home, and the memorial service will be held Monday, May 12th at 11:00 am at Asbury United Methodist Church, 101 Live Oak Avenue, Lafayette. Graveside services and interment will be held at the Grandview Cemetery in Albany, Missouri on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Louisiana Sigma Alpha Iota Scholarship Fund, or to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Personal condolences may be sent to the Shelby family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Claire Zenor Shelby

May 18, 1935 - May 9, 2008