Mary Patsy Shely (Pat) of Winchester, KY passed away peacefully on June 15, 2019 at her home. She was 95 years old. She was born on March 14, 1924 in Lexington, KY to the late Richard Simmons Shely, Sr. and Regina Stevens Shely. She graduated from The University of KY in Health and Physical Education in 1946 and received her Masters from Columbia University in New York in 1947.

Pat loved sports and music. She played golf, field hockey, tennis, and won the 1956 Kentucky Open Fencing Championship. She enjoyed classical music and played the french horn while in college. She taught at Delta State Teachers College in Mississippi (1948), Berea College in Kentucky (1956), and Georgia Southern College (1960). In 1953 her book of poems, The Thorns Cut Deeply, was published. She was also a pilot in the Civil Air Patrol in World War II. On August 5, 2019 she received The Congressional Gold Medal of Honor for her service. Pat’s greatest love was Kettle Spring Farm where she lived and farmed for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Richard Simmons Shely, Jr., one sister, Peggy Shely Harp, one niece, Dianna Ayers Smith, and a special friend, Linda Lee Hodges. She is survived by several nephews: Tom Ayers (Susie) of Edmond, OK; William Richard Ayers (and Dana) of Stillwater, OK; Dr. Steve Ayers (Jenny) of Carbondale CO; Stanley Simmons Harp (Deborah) of Georgetown KY, and a special cousin James (Gail) Stewart of Muncie, IN.

Friends may call at the Salem Presbyterian Church, 312 Combs Ferry Road from 10:00am up until the Memorial Service at 11:00am. A Civil War Air Patrol Color Guard Honor will take place following the service at Kettle Spring Farm. Private burial will be in Lexington Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Pat’s name to Salem Presbyterian Church. The family wishes to thank the loving and wonderful caregivers of “Miss Pat”, most especially Rita Mantilla.