Michell Shaff (Keller), 59

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Michell Shaff (formerly Michell Keller), who left us far too soon. After a courageous year-long battle with glioblastoma, she passed away at the young age of 59, surrounded by her loving family. Michell was a bright light — full of life, energy, and love — and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Michell is survived by her mother, sister, husband of over 30 years, two daughters, and her beloved grandson, who will carry her memory with them always. Michell was born in Federal Way on March 20th, 1965, the first day of spring — a birthday that suited her in many beautiful ways. She had a nurturing, warm, and kind heart, along with two green thumbs. Her family moved to the Key Peninsula in Gig Harbor when she was a child, where she grew up playing in the woods and on the beaches, alongside her sister and lifelong friends. She graduated from Peninsula High School, Class of 1984.

As an adult, Michell and her husband built a home on Wollochet Bay in Gig Harbor, where they raised their family. Michell took great pride in making their house a home, both inside and out, and if you knew her, you knew it was always spotless. In her small town, it seemed that wherever Michell went—whether to run errands or take a walk—she would either strike up a conversation with a stranger or, more often than not, run into someone she knew. A simple trip to the store was never short, as Michell was always connecting with those around her.

Michell had a profound love for her family, friends, God, music, animals, and the beauty of nature. She found joy in working with children at a Christian preschool and nurturing plants at the local nurseries. Her home quickly became its own little nursery every spring and summer as she brought more and more plants home. Always collecting more things to nurture, always adding beauty to the world around her. During the school year, she delighted in sharing stories about her students, always with a bright smile.

Michell was passionate of her hobbies and cherished the simple pleasures in life. She loved tending to her yard, going on walks and hikes, making flower arrangements, road trips and vacations, being near water, sandy beaches, and spending quality time with loved ones. She was an incredibly hard worker and an even stronger woman, always putting others before herself. Michell’s love for the earth and all its creatures was a reflection of her deep faith. It is with comfort that we believe she is now tending to the Garden of Eden, surrounded by the beauty of creation she so loved.

Above all, she treasured her role as a grandmother – a role she seemed destined for. It is a profound loss to her grandson and future grandchildren that they will not experience firsthand her unparalleled, unconditional love throughout their lives. Michell was the heart of the family, a guiding force, and a living encyclopedia. The family always turned to her for advice — whether about life’s biggest decisions or the smallest details, like which new decor item would best brighten their home.

In moments of grief, we are reminded of the poem The Broken Chain — a beautiful reminder that even though we are separated by death, the bond of love remains unbroken. While Michell may no longer walk among us, her spirit is forever with us, her love never fading, and the chain of family and faith never severed. We take solace in knowing that she is continuing to guide and protect her family from above. While we mourn this loss, we also find peace in the thought that one day, we will all be reunited as a family in the afterlife, where love and bonds are never broken.

Michell will be remembered for her bright smile, her kindness, warmth, humor, generosity, and, above all, her unwavering love for her family and friends.

Michell will rest at Cromwell Cemetery, a place she passed by year after year during her cherished walks along the Cromwell Road loop. In her honor, the family also plans to spread her ashes in places that hold meaning — places filled with memories, new adventures, and, of course, her favorite spot: the beaches of Maui.

A service in Michell’s honor will take place at Harborview Fellowship on January 26th at 3 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at Seven Seas Brewery in Gig Harbor at 4:30 p.m. All who were touched by Michell’s life are warmly invited to join us in both mourning and celebrating her at either or both events.