Shelley Suzanne Henson (nee Cragin), 62, Hinesburg, VT

Born Rutland, VT 11/01/1962

Died Hinesburg, VT 01/16/2025

Shelley Henson died unexpectedly in her sleep beside her husband and the love of her life, Douglas Henson, in the early hours of January 16th 2025.

Shelley and Doug met at UVM as undergraduate students and were married on August 24th, 1985. They would have celebrated 40 years of marriage this coming summer.

Shelley and Doug have three daughters, Melissa, Megan, and Allison, and two granddaughters, Willow and Skye. Shelley loved her daughters and granddaughters wholeheartedly and supported everything they did. When her daughters were young, Shelley was an active volunteer to support their interests, including a Pony Club volunteer and a volunteer 4-H leader. She enjoyed sharing her love for gardening and animals with Willow and Skye, as well as doing arts and crafts with them.

Shelley was active and enjoyed walking, swimming, yoga, cross country skiing and stand up paddling.

Shelley was a passionate early childhood educator throughout her life. She shaped the lives of children and families at the Family School in Brewster, MA, The YMCA of Greater Burlington, Milton Elementary School, Shelburne Community School, CP Smith Elementary School, Hinesburg Community School, and the greater Champlain Valley School District. She was an advocate for high quality early childhood education and volunteered on the VAEYC board. She had her masters degree in special education and certificate in school administration.

As described with the wisdom unique to young children, Shelley was the sun. She lit up the lives of everyone she knew, always had a bright smile to share, was reassuring with her constancy, and was warm, caring and friendly to anyone she met. Like the sun, although she is no longer with us, her memory will not fade.

Shelley is survived by her husband, Douglas Henson, her brother, John Cragin III, her daughters, Melissa Henson, Megan Henson, and Allison Henson, her granddaughters, Willow Acosta and Skye Acosta, and her nephew John Cragin IV. Shelley is preceded in death by her father John Cragin Jr. and her mother Susan Cragin (nee Fadden).

The family will be having a private memorial service. A public celebration of life will be held Sunday, January 26th at CVU High School from 2-6 PM.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Shelley's honor to the Carpenter Carse Library in Hinesburg, VT.