Shelly McDonald

Monte Alto- Shelly Breanne McDonald (Mozingo), 33, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 8, 2024, in Houston, Texas, surrounded by family and friends. Born on May 19, 1991, in Harlingen, Texas, Shelly was an angel on earth - a kind, selfless, and generous soul who loved and was loved by everyone. 

Shelly lit up every room with her smile and her fun-loving spirit. A devoted and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to so many, she influenced and impacted countless lives for the better. She had an unwavering determination to uplift those around her, ensuring no one was ever in need. No need was ever too big or too small for Shelly.

Shelly’s family was her world, and she cherished every moment with them. She was blessed to find the love of her life, Craig McDonald, when they were reintroduced in 2013. They were engaged in 2014 and married in October of 2015. They brought into this world their precious son, Mason, in 2021. Shelly loved Mason more than life itself. She was his “best friend,” and she was grateful for the opportunity to work from home and care for him daily. They played, laughed, danced, and sang, and she worked diligently to teach him colors, numbers, letters, and shapes to prepare him for school. Shelly always took the reins to organize birthday parties and other family get-togethers. A great cook, she insisted on preparing the food for such occasions, and she lovingly shared this passion with her niece and nephews as she enlisted their help in this experience. Shelly developed a love for national parks, hiking, and exploring new places in and out of state alongside family. She was known for her creativity and love of color, and she used her talents and skills to bring even more beauty into the world.

A caretaker at heart, Shelly stepped in to care for people physically, emotionally, and in any other way she could. She chose professions through which she could make a difference in other people’s lives—healthcare and education. Most recently, Shelly did this through positions with the Leavitt School of Health at Western Governors University and the Nursing Health Education Division at Elsevier. 

Shelly was a lifelong learner, and she inspired all around her through her educational achievements. After graduating from South Texas Business, Education & Technology Academy, she found her place as part of the Aggie family, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University (TAMU) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the TAMU System Health Science Center. She went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing from Lamar University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Shelly faced and persevered through many challenges in her life. She was a fierce warrior and continued fighting until her last moment. Shelly’s faith in God was strong in the valleys and on the mountain tops – in each moment, she shared God’s grace and faithfulness. Her family has no doubt that God has prepared a place in heaven for Shelly and that she has been welcomed by our savior with open arms. She was a devout member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg.

Shelly leaves behind a legacy of kindness and love and will always be remembered for loving others “the mostest.” She is survived by her husband, Craig; son, Mason; parents, John and Shelly Mozingo; siblings J.C. (Ashley) Mozingo, Amanda (Grant) Odom, and Kimberly (Eric) Wolff; grandmother, Ann Gary Mozingo; nieces and nephews whom she loved like her own children; and numerous extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024, at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Shelly's family will be present from 3 to 8 p.m., and there will be a Holy Rosary at 6 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg, followed by the burial at Highland Memorial Park in Weslaco, Texas. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor Shelly's memory by donating the Great Gluten Escape. 

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