Jeanette Shell loved to be in the company of her family and friends, and she was always ready to “do her dance,” especially to the “oldies” on Sunday.

Throughout her life, she was actively involved in sheltered workshops, including Carousel House and JEVS. Jeanette also enjoyed summer vacations to the New Jersey shore with her family, and with Special Vacations, Inc. She died on January 18. She was 67.

Shell was born on May 24, 1944, in Philadelphia. She lived with her family in the Strawberry Mansion section of North Philadelphia and was known to everyone in the neighborhood.

Her family said she always had a smile, inviting hello and a ready handshake for everyone who passed by the house. She attended special education classes at Carmen Elementary School in South Philadelphia.

She loved the Lord and was baptized by the late Rev. Willie Lewis at the New Birth Baptist Church.

After the death of Rev. Lewis, she regularly attended Calvary United Church of Christ located at 29th Street and Lehigh Avenue. After church, she could be heard singing hymns and gospel songs spontaneously or along with the radio, as she continued to praise the Lord.

In May 2009, Shell became a resident at COMHAR in North Philadelphia and participated in the Zanderwoude Day Program. The residents and staff at COMHAR became her extended family. She loved them, and they cared for her with love and respect.

Shell leaves to mourn: mother, Margaret Streeter; sisters, Kathryn S. Lewis, Ellen A. Small and Marilyn Streeter; brothers-in-law, Michael J. Lewis and George Small; sister-in-law, Edith Streeter; niece, Chereese Martin; nephews, Michael S. Lewis and Allyn Jacobs (Shanta); two great-nieces and a great-nephew; cousins, friends, neighbors and her COMHAR extended family.

Services were held January 26 at Pinn Memorial Baptist Church. Slater Funeral Home handled the arrangements.