Carolyn Tilghman Spelsberg Shiben

Carolyn Tilghman Spelsberg Shiben, 79, of Shepherdstown, passed away peacefully in her sleep after a brief bout with pneumonia in the early hours of Jan. 3, 2017.

She was born Sept. 1, 1937.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her mother and father, Dr. Walter (Dutch) and Marion Spelsberg and oldest brother Dr. Walter Spelsberg Jr.

She is survived by three siblings, Marion (Mim) Stevens, Linda Wolfe and Dr. Tom Spelsberg, as well as four children, (Tom, David, Tanya and AJ) and 12 grandchildren (Josh, Kelsey, Elliot, Taj, Mindy, Brittany, Jenna, Christopher, Daniel, Andrew, Sidney and Camden) and three great grandchildren (Kadin, Ashton and Harley). She was a gentle soul who dedicated her life to her children and family.

She always showed kindness and concern for others and was a true friend and confidant to many. Carolyn constantly reached out to help people, as was evidenced by her regular volunteer work at the Shepherdstown Library. She was an avid reader throughout her life.

Carolyn had a soft spot in her heart for animals, enjoying many different pets over the course of her life. She valiantly struggled with dementia/Alzheimer during her final years, all the while maintaining her desire to lend a helping hand.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Jan. 14 at the Clarion Hotel’s Tuscany Room from 1-4 p.m. Friends and family are welcome.

There will be no interment, as to fulfill her wish to donate her body to medical science at West Virginia University.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice or a dementia/Alzheimer organization of choice.