Shelley Lynae Wood

Shelley Lynae (Lotze) Wood, age 57, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Colville, Washington, on July 23, 2026. Born on July 11, 1969, to Fred and Cena (Look) Lotze, Shelley was a lifelong member of the Colville community. She graduated from Colville High School in 1987 before earning her bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University, her master’s degree in education from Gonzaga University, and had her National Board Certification. 

Shelley devoted thirty-one years to teaching in the Kettle Falls School District, where she inspired generations of students with her kindness, patience, and unwavering dedication to education. In 2005, Shelley married the love of her life, Michael Wood, and to- gether they built a beautiful life cen- tered on faith, family, and love. Their greatest joys came with the adoption of their daughter, Annalee, from Ethiopia in 2008 and sixteen months later, they welcomed their youngest daughter, Megan.

 Shelley treasured being a wife and mother and found her greatest happiness in creating lasting memories with her family, whether traveling on vaca- tions and cruises, sharing meals to- gether, or simply enjoying everyday moments at home. Shelley had a gift for making life special. She loved planning family vaca- tions, researching cars, purse shopping, and spending time with her beloved horses, and she especial- ly enjoyed showing them. 

Her thoughtful nature, gentle heart, and attention to every detail reflected the care she gave to those around her. She was known for her quiet strength, generous spirit, and gen- uine compassion, leaving a lasting impression on her family, friends, colleagues, and the many students whose lives she touched. Shelley will be deeply missed by her devoted husband, Michael; her daughters, Annalee and Megan; her mother, Cena Lotze; oldest sister Debbie Fletcher ( Jim Hobbs); older sister Christy (Tom) Graham; Sis- ters-in-law Katie (Tim) Maret and Julie (Michael) Hunt; her numer- ous nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews, friends, co- workers, and former students who were blessed to know her. 

Shelley was proceeded in death by her father, Fred Lotze. While her passing leaves an immeasurable void, her legacy of love, kindness, and dedica- tion will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be remembered always with love, gratitude, and cherished memories.