Maureen Costello Shelly, 89, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2026, in Charleston, South Carolina. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and friend whose life was defined by her love for her family, her strength of character, and an unmistakable sense of humor.

Maureen was born and raised in Englewood, New Jersey, the daughter of Edward and Barbara Costello. She was a graduate of Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood and went on to attend Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

After marrying Michael Greene Shelly, Maureen and Michael made their home in Wilmette, Illinois, where she spent approximately 60 years building a life and raising her family. She was a homemaker and later a fundraiser, combining her natural determination and ability to connect with people with a commitment to causes she believed in. She was a longtime member of St. Joseph and Francis Xavier parish in Wilmette.

Maureen said her greatest accomplishment, however, was her family.

She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Shelly of Chicago, Illinois, and Anne Shelly (Christopher) Owen of Charleston, South Carolina, and her grandchildren, Andrew (Emily) Owen of Aurora, Colorado, Braden Owen of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Wrigley.

To her daughters, Maureen was much more than a mother. She was their advocate, protector, example, and greatest supporter. She always put her children ahead of herself and would do whatever was necessary for them. She possessed a remarkable combination of determination and grit. She was stubborn when she needed to be, and she could walk her way out of almost any situation with her head held high-and usually came out successful.

She also had a wonderful, sometimes wonderfully sarcastic, sense of humor. She loved to laugh, and she brought that humor into the lives of the people around her. Beneath her toughness was an enormous heart. She loved completely and without reservation.

Maureen had a lifelong fascination with her family's history and spent countless hours researching genealogy. She delighted in uncovering stories and connections in her family's past, often finding fascinating pieces of history that might otherwise have been forgotten. It was one of the many ways she remained deeply connected to the people who came before her.

Maureen had a special connection with the Owen family's dog, Bo, and Bo seemed to have a special connection with her. Once, while Maureen was visiting and became ill, she fell asleep on the couch. Every hour or so, Bo would get up, walk over to her, and carefully sniff her from head to toe before returning to his spot. Then, one time, he walked over to her, began sniffing her, and simply sat down beside her. Maureen was taken to the hospital by ambulance through the emergency room that night. Bo had told us something wasn't right.

It became one of those family stories that was impossible to forget-and perhaps one of the clearest examples of the bond between Maureen and Bo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Greene Shelly, by her parents, Edward and Barbara Costello of Englewood, New Jersey, her sister Carol Anne Murphy of Mahwah, New Jersey, and her grandson, Christopher Jordan Owen.

Her family takes comfort in knowing that Maureen is now reunited with the people she loved and missed throughout her life-and, especially, with "Bo...the dog” who also preceded her in passing.

To her family, Maureen was a shining light. She was strong when strength was needed, determined when determination mattered, and fiercely devoted to the people she loved.To her daughters, there was never any question about who their mother was: "In our eyes, there was nothing she could not do. We idolized her."

Maureen's family will carry her strength, her humor, her stories, and-most of all-her love with them always.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Englewood, New Jersey, with the date to be announced. She will be interred at Madonna Cemetery in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Arrangements are by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Northwoods Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.