Susan Michelle "Shelley" Rody, 58, of Elkhart and Punta Gorda Florida, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 18, 2022, at HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital, Port Charlotte, FL.

She was born on September 18, 1963, in Elkhart Indiana to James Gail and Mary Lee (Hapner) Pringle. She was a proud graduate of Elkhart Memorial High School, class of 1982. On July 1, 1989, she married her true love and best friend Christopher W. Rody. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Chris, loving daughter Lauren Michelle Rody (Richard Smith) of Elkhart, Son, Tyler Christian Rody (Hailey Shuster) Of Austin Texas; granddaughter Abigail Michelle Rody of Elkhart, and a new granddaughter Avery Anna Smith of Elkhart; parents James G. and Mary Lee Pringle of Elkhart; brother, Eric (Mary) Pringle, sister Rebecca Pringle both of Elkhart.

Shelley was preceded in death by her sister Karen Lindsay of Sturgis MI. She was employed by Elkhart General Hospital/ Beacon Medical Group, where she had worked as a Media & Special Events Coordinator and also as a floor secretary. She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, where she served as a lector.

Shelley's Catholic faith was imperative to her life, she was the bright light that lit up a room with her joy, love, and positive attitude.

Nine years ago, she and her husband realized a dream and bought a home in Punta Gorda Florida. Her life became split between her home in Indiana and new home In Florida. She loved the sunshine, water and the relaxed atmosphere of her adopted state. She was a gourmet cook who loved to entertain and her greatest joy was sharing her talent and dreams with others. As her brother said, "she wasn't the life of the party, she was the party." She will be greatly missed.

Visitation for Shelley will be held from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, March 24, 2022, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart. The evening will conclude with a parish rosary beginning at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St. Elkhart, where friends may call for 1 hour prior to the mass. Reverend Jason Freiburger will officiate. Burial and graveside services will follow at St. Vincent Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request memorial donations in Shelley's name to either the American Heart Association or St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Condolences may be made online at www.billingsfuneralhome.com