Dr. Shirley Jackson Snelling of Denver, Colorado, died peacefully on 2/16/2016 at age 87.

Born 10/7/1928 to Gilbert Mansfield Jackson and Imogene Mast Jackson in Roundup, Montana, Shirley was raised in Sheridan Wyoming.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters (Fay Symons, Helen), 2 brothers (Henry, Ken), ex-husband Earl Heckman, and son Alan James Heckman.

She is survived by her husband Dr. Clarence H. Snelling Jr, sister Carol Dau, son John Heckman (Faith), daughter Cynthia Heckman-Davis (Ken), daughter Anita Heckman (Jack Nelson), stepson David Snelling (Penny), stepdaughter Claire Nord (Mark), and stepson Ben Snelling. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

A precocious child, Shirley graduated at age 16 from high school in Sheridan. She married Earl Heckman in June, 1949, and the couple moved to Denver, Colorado.

Continually furthering her own education, Shirley earned her BA degree, a Masters degree in Religious Education from Iliff School of Theology, and her PhD in Education from the University of Denver.

Shirley was the Sheridan College 2000 Distinguished Alumna and spoke at their commencement ceremony in Sheridan Wyoming, May of 2000.

She married Clarence Snelling, a long-time Denver family friend in September, 2000.

Her memorial service will be held March 17 at 7:00 pm at the Park Hill United Methodist Church, 5209 E. Montview Blvd, Denver Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Shirley's memory to the Resource Center for Nonviolence, rcnv.org, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

The Sheridan Press - Mar. 15, 2016.