Tracey L Shockey *
We are devastated to announce the passing of Tracey Lynn Shockey, 54, of Germantown, Ohio. Tracey peacefully left us on May 21, 2023, after a valiant battle with small cell lung cancer. She entered every room with a smile and she left the same way. Even though she was suffering, she never stopped smiling.
She is preceded in death by her daughter in law and friend, Rochelle Lee Shockey Foster. She is survived by her loving husband Michael Ray Shockey and her two sons whom she loved dearly, Noah Riley Jirka and Killian Paul Jirka. She is also survived by her beloved parents, Dale and Maryann Brelje of Collinsville, IL, and her sister and friend Laurie Clarkson “Thithy”,and her beloved brother in law Joe Clarkson from Troy, MO. She found great joy in her niece (“nieces to pieces”) , Heather Potter (husband Tyler Potter), Matthew Clarkson, Michael Clarkson, and Brendan Clarkson. She thought her great nephew, Emmet Potter, was just the cutest and was excited to meet her new great nephew arriving in November, her “Birthday” month.
She burst into this world on November 29, 1968, in Belleville, IL, the day after Thanksgiving, a holiday to be celebrated with family. It was a day that all who loved her are thankful. She began celebrating life surrounded by loving people and gathered more friends as she danced through her life.
As a child, Tracey was always laughing and smiling. Life was her canvas. She found the stories and humor in our world and found joy in God’s creation. She chased butterflies, collected rocks, and enjoyed the beauty in the world around her. Her beauty always shone in the light of her eyes and the brightness of her smile. She never lost that loving and joyful face.
She was a successful salesperson. She graduated from SIU Carbondale with a psychology degree and hit the ground running. Her love of people directed her towards a passion for sales. She could sell you a bridge in Tucson, Arizona. She had the “gift of gab”, and her customers loved her annual chocolate chip cookies and she loved them. She was a social butterfly and a merrymaker. She made friends wherever she went.
Her true passion in life was creating. Tracey began as a representative for Stampin Up and then advanced to creating her own vintage card making styles. These were the seeds planted for her beautiful watercolor designs. Her watercolors depicted important places loved by family and the beautiful views of nature, especially her beloved sunflowers.
Spending time with her husband on a weekend drive and with their Bo’s family filled her heart with joy and wonder. She loved her boys with all her heart and looked forward to every visit. She enjoyed every family gathering. Tracey was a gentle soul with one of the kindest hearts that ever lived. Tracey’s unending optimism spread joy and rays of sunshine in the lives of everyone who knew her. We will miss her very much.
In lieu of flowers, make a donation in Tracey’s memory to the Lung Foundation of America at www.lcfamerica.org
Visitation will be held from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at Newcomer Funeral Home located at 3940 Kettering Blvd. Kettering, OH 45439. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church located at 4865 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH 45440. Tracey’s final resting place will be at Dayton National Cemetery.