In the late hours of Monday, June 12, 2023, this world lost a beautiful human, and a different plane gained a beautiful soul. Shelby Adele Vannette unexpectedly passed on, leaving behind her devastated family, sorrowful friends, and a community in mourning. A beacon of love, a provider of compassion, a promoter of kindness, and an ally to so many, she will be forever missed and celebrated by the countless people whose lives she touched.

Born December 21, 1974, in Toledo, Ohio, it didn't take long for Shelby's true, kind colors to show. She grew up in Niles, Michigan, then spent her teenage years in Celina, Ohio, where she was a very active member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church (now known as Grand Lake United Methodist Church), going on mission trips and serving others however she was able. After her graduation from Celina High School in 1993, Shelby went on to attend Bowling Green State University, where she earned a degree in Early Childhood Education in 1998. Later in '98, she married her soulmate, Jason Vannette, beginning a union that would last for nearly 25 beautiful years. Shelby also taught for nearly 25 years, all of which were with Toledo Public Schools. Between Sherman Elementary and Glendale-Feilbach Elementary, she spent almost all of her career teaching first and fourth grades, providing each and every one of her students with that unforgettable 'Miss Vannette' love we all know so well. Most recently, she'd taken on a new role as an Intern Consultant with the district, using her expertise to observe and mentor new teachers in the system. Over the course of these years, an enormous number of students and other educators were deeply impacted by Shelby and her beautiful, caring soul, often reaching out to her, even decades after their initial encounter in the classroom.

Despite moving with her parents to a variety of places around the Midwest, in the year 2000, Shelby's firstborn child was delivered in Toledo, coincidentally, by the same doctor who had delivered her back in 1974. She went on to deliver three more children at the same Toledo Hospital, providing her with her ultimate pride and joy…her proudest accomplishments: her four beloved children. Whether it was birthdays, graduations, sporting events, theater productions, or just a funny quip, she loved to celebrate her kids and tell the world about the latest story to come out of the Vannette household.

Shelby is survived by her husband, Jason, her children, Zack, Cole, Ainsley and Maddox, along with her mother, Linda Olmstead, brothers Matt (Abby) Olmstead and Adam Olmstead, her in-laws, Doug and Becky Vannette, brother-in-law, Ryan (Sara) Vannette, and many, many nieces and nephews, as well as numerous cousins.

Within the past year, she was preceded in death by her adoring father, Edward Olmstead, and her beautiful niece, Charlee Olmstead. In addition to her grandparents and aunts and uncles, they were all surely present to welcome Shelby on the other side with open arms and the warmest of embraces. The world may never truly comprehend the power and expanse of Shelby's unconditional love and kindness, but may she rest easy knowing that those she is leaving behind will continue to remember her with that same, undying love.

Shelby's visitation will be held Friday, June 23, 2023, from 1pm to 6pm, at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. in Toledo, Ohio.

Services will be held immediately after at 6pm, and all are invited to attend the service. If anyone wishes to speak and share stories of this wonderful woman, it will be welcome.