Shelley left her home in Fillmore and went to be with Jesus on October 7, 2014, after battling cancer for almost two years.
She was born in Santa Paula on August 1, 1955, to her parents, Clifford and Darlene Galbraith. She joined the family as the third child, following in the footsteps of her older brother (Dan) and sister (Stacey) with another brother (Steve) to arrive two years later. She continued to have close relationships with all of them throughout the years.
She attended school in Santa Paula, graduating early from Santa Paula High School in 1973. She then married Walter Socia in February 1973 and moved to Germany where Walter had been stationed after joining the U.S. Army. While living in Germany, she and Walter had the opportunity to visit several European countries with her mother and stepfather, John (Bud) Gooding, all four of them traveling around in a Volkswagen Beetle.
Returning to the United States, Walter and Shelley gave birth to their son, Justin, while residing in Santa Maria in October 1977. In April 1982 their daughter, Kaylen, was born in Ventura after they returned to live in Santa Paula.
In December 1988 Shelley married Gene Signor and they lived in Santa Paula until they moved to Fillmore in May 1995. Gene had two children, Kerie and Kimberley, from his previous marriage and Shelley and Gene became stepparents, vowing to nurture and love each other’s children as their own.
Shelley worked as a waitress at several locations in Ventura County and took business classes through Ventura College, which helped her get jobs with the County of Ventura, where she worked for more than 5 years, and then moved to the Ventura County Community College District where she worked for more than 20 years, retiring in February 2011. She loved her job in Human Resources because she was able to meet prospective employees, assist current employees and retirees as well.
Shelley was born with a servant’s heart and always put others first. She never sought the limelight but chose instead, in all areas of her life, to volunteer for those tasks that put her in the background. She loved to do anything that involved her family and/or friends, and usually she was the one who orchestrated the gatherings. She was very loyal and everyone knew that if they shared something with her in confidence it would never go anywhere else. She loved to serve at the churches she belonged to in Santa Paula and Fillmore. She particularly enjoyed being a “greeter” to welcome those who entered the church sanctuary for worship.
Shelley loved music, especially Country music. Every morning she listened to KHAY while she got ready to greet the day. And when she did housework, she elevated the sound on the stereo to deafening levels. She loved the contemporary worship experience at church where she could stand and clap her hands in time to the music while singing praises to the Lord.
She enjoyed sitting in the sunlight and swimming in her pool, especially with the grandchildren. She also enjoyed being invested in the lives of her immediate and extended family members.
When her stepfather passed away in January 2011, Shelley dedicated more of her time in honoring, caring for and spending time with her mother.
Shelley was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Walter and Leola Galbraith; her maternal grandparents, William and Floy Morris; her father Clifford Galbraith, her stepfather John Gooding; her uncle Melvin Galbraith.
She is survived by her husband Gene Signor, mother Darlene Gooding; brothers Dan Galbraith (his wife Brenda and his children Angela, Melanie and William) and Steve Galbraith; her sister Stacey Nasalroad (husband Brad and their children Shea and Garett); her son Justin Socia and daughter Kaylen Rodriguez (husband Bobby and their children Haku and Bella); stepdaughters Kerie Naugle (husband Greg and their children Aaron and Rachel) and Kimberley Signor and her aunt Dorothy Stringer (husband Lloyd).
The family would like to thank Dr. Evan Slater and staff and the staff of Buena Vista Hospice Care for their loving care of Shelley during her illness.
A celebration of Shelley’s life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Community Church, 461 Central Avenue, Fillmore CA 93015.
In lieu of flowers the family requests you make a contribution to the FoundationForWomen’sCancer.org.