Shelly Marie Buckhout-Albett, 47, died Saturday, Oct. 29, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Shelly was born in Kalamazoo on March 28, 1975, to Jim and Marilyn Buckhout and spent most of her school years at Delton Kellogg Schools, but graduated in 1993 at Gull Lake.

She worked at Ken Bleeker Insurance Agency in Martin for many years.

When her kids were younger, Shelly loved to cheer them on at all their sporting and school events. She was so proud of the amazing young adults they had become. Shelly’s grandchildren also brought her much joy. She loved to spend time with all of them as much as she could doing sleepovers, shopping, taking them places or just hanging out at her house with them.

Shelly loved flowers and spending time in her gardens and she loved to travel and see beautiful places with her husband. Her favorite place to travel with her family was Jekyll Island, Ga, where she and her family took many vacations.

Shelly was the life of the party and the best event/party planner ever! She was quite the character, always making people laugh and have a good time. She loved to do goofy things and embarrass those she was with, especially her children.

She is survived by her husband, Ford Albett; her children, Katelyn (Zach) Steele, Taylor (Jacob) Ford and Tucker Curry; her stepchildren, Cody (Hannah), Dillon, and Ashley Ablett; her grandchildren, Rylie, McKenna, Payton, Reagan, Wesley, Willow, Wyatt and Paisley; her mother, Marilyn Buckhout; her brother, Greg (Elizabeth) Buckhout, and many loving friends and family.

Shelly was preceded in death by her father, James (Jim) Buckhout, and her grandparents.

A memorial service to celebrate Shelly’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday Nov. 12, at Martin United Methodist Church, 969 E. Allegan St. Martin. Her family will be there to greet friends from 1:30 until the service.

There will be a luncheon to follow at the church for friends and family.