1942
Shirley
2024
Shirley Sell
June 20, 1942 — June 9, 2024
Shirley Mae Sell of Eau Claire departed this earth on June 9th, 2024. Born on June 20, 1942 in Wausau as the only child of Emil and Evelyn Sell, she spent her childhood living on a farm, where she learned lifelong gardening and cooking skills from her mother and farming tasks from her father.
She married Rahlf Proulx in 1959. Together, they welcomed children Mark, Renee, Michelle, and Marnie Proulx, raising their family in Wausau and Eau Claire.
Shirley’s Catholic faith and musical worship were central to her life, and she lent her musical and liturgical planning talents to St. Mary’s Oratory in Wausau and St. Patrick Catholic Church and the Newman Center in Eau Claire. She and her children also participated in “The Christian Experiment,” a popular contemporary guitar worship group at St. Mary’s. Shirley contributed to the development of other music ministry leaders through workshops held at Viterbo College in La Crosse and personal mentoring. As a musician and singer with a memorable voice, her efforts uplifted congregations on many occasions.
Shirley was employed in the insurance, real estate, and education industries, with positions at Wausau Insurance, Crestline Windows, PESI, Health Ed, and property management and realty companies. She also launched her own business after earning a massage therapy license, combined with certification as a Shen practitioner.
An avid seamstress, she produced wedding dresses, doll clothes, children’s clothing, liturgical vestments, and custom clothing, especially for her taller-than-average children.
As an adventurous traveler, Shirley satisfied her wanderlust by settling in various cities throughout Wisconsin, Colorado, Arizona, and California, but eventually returned to Eau Claire, where she had cultivated many friendships and business relationships throughout the years.
Shirley is survived by her children, Mark Proulx of Arvada, Colorado; Michelle Proulx of St. Paul, Minnesota; Marnie (Proulx) DiCristi of Alexandria, VA, in addition to grandchildren Kerri, Evan, Sean, and Anna; and former husband Rahlf Proulx. She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter Renee Proulx.
She married Rahlf Proulx in 1959. Together, they welcomed children Mark, Renee, Michelle, and Marnie Proulx, raising their family in Wausau and Eau Claire.
Shirley’s Catholic faith and musical worship were central to her life, and she lent her musical and liturgical planning talents to St. Mary’s Oratory in Wausau and St. Patrick Catholic Church and the Newman Center in Eau Claire. She and her children also participated in “The Christian Experiment,” a popular contemporary guitar worship group at St. Mary’s. Shirley contributed to the development of other music ministry leaders through workshops held at Viterbo College in La Crosse and personal mentoring. As a musician and singer with a memorable voice, her efforts uplifted congregations on many occasions.
Shirley was employed in the insurance, real estate, and education industries, with positions at Wausau Insurance, Crestline Windows, PESI, Health Ed, and property management and realty companies. She also launched her own business after earning a massage therapy license, combined with certification as a Shen practitioner.
An avid seamstress, she produced wedding dresses, doll clothes, children’s clothing, liturgical vestments, and custom clothing, especially for her taller-than-average children.
As an adventurous traveler, Shirley satisfied her wanderlust by settling in various cities throughout Wisconsin, Colorado, Arizona, and California, but eventually returned to Eau Claire, where she had cultivated many friendships and business relationships throughout the years.
Shirley is survived by her children, Mark Proulx of Arvada, Colorado; Michelle Proulx of St. Paul, Minnesota; Marnie (Proulx) DiCristi of Alexandria, VA, in addition to grandchildren Kerri, Evan, Sean, and Anna; and former husband Rahlf Proulx. She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter Renee Proulx.
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