Obituary of Shelley Maude MacLean

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shelley MacLean of Pictou (formerly of Trenton), on June 16, 2025 in the Palliative Care Unit, Aberdeen Hospital. If you were a kid growing up in Trenton during the 1970’s through 1990’s and you tended to leave your school projects until the last minute. Chances are you knew our mom……. Shelley from the Library. Mom was born in New Glasgow August 12, 1952 to James and Hazel Ross. She was raised in Trenton, graduating from Trenton High School. She had so many fond memories of growing up in the “pre fab” on Caroline Street, hanging out at Dee’s Tea Room and going to Teen Town Dances. She was raised in the First United Church Trenton attending Sunday School, Explores, CGIT and Youth and Spirit Choir. In later years she was the Superintendent of Sunday School and CGIT. She loved literature. She wrote and directed many plays and dinner theatres for the church. Mom met her “kindred spirit” in grade primary, Kaye Dee. They performed a skit together “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”. Mom was the Momma Bear and took her roll very seriously. Kaye was Baby Bear, she didn’t follow script, couldn’t stop laughing and cracked up the entire class. This pretty much set the stage for their sixty-eight-year friendship. Mom went on to have us, two girls. She was incredibly proud of all our accomplishments. She was always available to guide us and give her calm, no-nonsense advice. After forty years she retired from the library. She played an invaluable roll in her granddaughters’ lives. Reese and Elliott were her pride and joy. She never missed a musical performance or a softball game. You could find her at the Stellarton field cheering them on. Mom is survived by daughters, Kristal MacLean (Michel Gauthier) Pictou, Amber Richards (Bradley MacLeod) Lochaber. Granddaughters, Reese and Elliott Richards. Best friend Kaye Dee Taylor (Frank), sister-in-law Karen Ross, nieces and nephew, Stephanie Chisholm, Alexandra Chisholm, Joanne Ross and David Ross. Mom was predeceased by her parents, James Ross and Hazel Ross, husband Robert MacLean, brother Lanny Ross, dearest sister Lynda Chisholm and brother-in-law Alec Chisholm. There will be no visitation or funeral as per Mom’s request. We would like to thank all the Staff and Physicians at the Aberdeen Hospital who cared for mom. You are all truly wonderful human beings. Kristal and Amber