Diane E. Shelton

Diane E. Shelton, 80, of Stuart, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital in Stuart.

Born Esther Elizabeth Pfund in July of 1944 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Diane was adopted as an infant by Charles Lee and Wilma Louise Erwin. Her family moved to Stuart during her middle school years and she graduated from Stuart High School in 1962.

Diane spent much of her career in roles that connected her deeply to her community. She worked for many years at Martin Memorial Hospital and was honored to serve as the first school secretary at First Baptist Christian School. Later, she worked as a billing secretary for Dr. Charles Fraraccio, where she remained a familiar and friendly face. In every role, Diane made it a point to know the people she served—patients, students, and families alike—and stayed connected with many of them throughout her life.

Diane found great joy in her children, seven grandchildren, their spouses, and her new great-granddaughter. She was deeply loved by them all. Her positive attitude and constant encouragement were a source of inspiration for her family. Diane was immensely proud of her son and grandsons for their military service.

She had a love of the beach, where she spent hours collecting shells and sea glass. These treasures were turned into beautiful handmade crafts, which she generously shared with friends and loved ones. Diane had a gift for encouragement and made it her personal ministry to create and send thoughtful, personalized cards for holidays, special occasions, and simply to lift others' spirits.

She and her husband, Jimmy, shared a passion for local history and were active in the Stuart Heritage Museum, where they enjoyed spending time with fellow “Old Timers,” celebrating the town they loved so dearly.

Most importantly, Diane loved Jesus and spread his Good News to everyone she met, whether through her positive attitude or her sweet giving spirit, or by sharing a Bible verse or hymn. She invested her heart in those she loved and wanted everyone to know the love of Jesus through her. One of her favorite verses started with - "In everything give thanks" -and she truly sought to live that verse out in her life.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 13 years, James Shelton III, a native of Stuart; her loving children, Tiffany (Mike) Owen of Palm City and John (Tiffany) Reddick, Sr. of Stuart; and her brother, Bill Alborn, and her niece, Brenda. She also leaves behind her adored grandchildren: Blake, Tyler, Kyle, Meghan (Peter) Moforis, Chloe (Brock) Olsen, John Jr., and Samuel; and her precious great-granddaughter, Annika.

In addition, she is fondly remembered by Jimmy’s daughters, Susan Shelton Pugsley and Kellie Barberi; her cousins, Sharon Grenoble and David Wagner, nieces and nephews; and her many dedicated caregivers, to whom she was deeply grateful. She will be dearly missed by a wide circle of friends who felt like family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Calvary Chapel, located at 1633 SW 34th Street, Palm City, FL. The service will begin at 3:00 p.m., with a visitation to follow. The gathering will be an uplifting tribute to her life, filled with love, memories, and the joy she brought to so many.

Arrangements are entrusted to Martin Funeral Home & Crematory, 961 S. Kanner Hwy, Stuart, FL.

Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.martin-funeral.com