1965 – 2016

LEWISTON — Michelle “Shelly” Olds, 50, died in her home Thursday, March 3, of a heroin overdose, the end game of an addiction she had battled for years.

She was born April 29, 1965, in Lewiston. She graduated from Edward Little in 1983 and served our country honorably in the U.S. Air Force, where she excelled in the medical field for six years as a medical technician and an EMT.

She was charitable, compassionate and creative, and had a bright, shining smile. She respected and admired veterans and volunteered as much time to their causes as opportunity afforded her. She cherished her cats and dogs. Unable to have children of her own, she loved and understood others’ children, especially those who were neglected and abused. She was generous beyond a fault and would attend a child’s needs whenever possible.

She loved her mother, Rachel “Rach” Olds, who courageously stood by her side as she desperately battled her addiction.

She is survived by her mother; grandmother, Marie Larochelle of Lewiston; aunts, Carol Bilodeau of Auburn, Marjorie Smith of Michigan and Pamela Olds of Michigan; and uncles, William of Lewiston and Daniel Larochelle of Australia.

She was predeceased by her father, Earl “Archie” Olds; her brother, Michael Olds; and grandfather, Roland Larochelle.