Kelly Ann Shreck

Kelly Ann Shreck was born in Medina, Ohio on January 4, 1955 to William Ladd Shreck and Martha-Ellen Conley Shreck. She passed away Saturday, October 12, 2019 at the age of 64 years, in Houston, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Morris Lee Shreck, stepmother Winnell Shreck and stepsister Melinda Frazier.
She is survived by her brothers Bill Shreck, Jr. and wife Christine of Grand Blanc, Michigan and Scott Shreck and wife Maconda of Spring, Texas; sisters Melanie Shreck of Houston, Texas and Fayellen Russell and her husband Tony of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law Norma Shreck of Pearland, TX, stepbrother Bryan Bankston and wife Kathy of Texas City, Texas; stepsister Sue Hooker and husband Walter of Conroe, Texas; brother-in-law Kenneth Dittrich and wife Maggie of Friendswood, Texas; nephews Billy Shreck, Steven Dittrich and wife Ashley, Jennifer Bankston, Sydney Russell and husband Ethan Hartman, Ellen George and husband Garnett, Sarah Bankston, and Alicia Dittrich; great-nephews, Liam and Micah Shreck, Isaac George and Logan Looper; and great-niece Kalani Dittrich.
Kelly moved with her family throughout Ohio and Michigan as she was growing up. She was an All-Star Softball player in Junior High. She attended Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights, MI and Austintown Fitch High School in Austintown, OH where she was a member of the National Honor Society and excelled in Voice, Speech, Theatre and Debate.

Following high school Kelly went on to study at Youngstown State University where she earned a Bachelors of Arts while majoring in Speech, Communications and Theater. She was selected to the Who's Who of American Colleges and served as a Peer Counselor in the Student Development Office. In addition to working as the Secretary of the Theatre Department she was an actor in many productions including The Rose Tattoo, opposite the then "unknown" Ed O'Neil. When her family relocated to Houston, TX in 1977, Kelly stayed behind for a few months so she could complete her second degree, a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science with a major in Criminal Justice.
Once she joined her family in Houston she worked at Best Products while attending Bates College of Law at the University of Houston. At Best Products she completed courses to receive the designation of Diamond Expert before moving into the role of Trainer. Kelly thrived in the role of Trainer and held that position until Best Products closed their doors. In May of 1982 she stood with her sister Melanie as they both graduated with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence. That same year she passed the Texas Bar and became licensed to practice law. She has remained a member, in good standing, of the State Bar of Texas since her induction.
In 1991, Kelly began her career with the City of Houston. She continued using her skills when she joined the Affirmative Action department as a Trainer. Her passion for communication, law and education combined with her compassion has led to a nearly 30-year career with the City of Houston. Kelly's most recent titles were the Chief Learning Officer for the Learning and Development Center and Division Manager of the Employee and Labor Relations Division simultaneously. Over her career and in these roles more than 30,000 participants passed through her training classes, she was instrumental in the development of the Certified Accreditation Program for Supervisors (CAPS), she is an IPMA-HR Certified Professional (IPMA-CP), she worked with the various unions on their union agreements, worked with her team to handle grievances, and developed policy and procedures to name just a few of her accomplishments and areas of expertise.

In addition to her professional achievements, Kelly was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, teacher and friend. She was the 2nd oldest of six children. She loved music, and especially enjoyed listening to Barbara Streisand, Judy Garland, Karen Carpenter and Broadway musical soundtracks. She traveled with her debate teams and her sisters (the infamous Sister Trips) to California, Niagara Falls, Florida, New Orleans and cities around Texas. But her favorite destination was New York City and the surrounding northeastern states. Les Miserable was her first and favorite Broadway show. In addition to music, Kelly loved sports, gemstones and bobbleheads. Her bobblehead collection was impressive and on a rotational display.
Kelly was generous to her family and those in need, but especially to her nieces and nephews. She spoiled them unapologetically. She supported their endeavors, whether in sports, music, or fashion. She cheered each of them on from the stands, in the audience or from afar. She taught them, encouraged them to "do the right thing, no matter what", listened to them and could make them smile with an impromptu made up song or gave them encouragement in the form of a "little old ant" and a rubber tree plant.
Kelly would comment that people had questioned why she went to law school when she doesn't use her degree to be a lawyer. Her view was that no education or knowledge was ever wasted. She was thirsty for knowledge, an avid student and a generous teacher. She took joy in helping her siblings, nieces, nephews and co-workers through encouragement, knowledge, friendship, love, treasure, service and kindness.

When asked what she was thankful for on Thanksgiving, she would say she was blessed to not just love her family, but genuinely like them and would be friends with each of us regardless. Kelly was loved and a friend to many. Her legacy will be the lights she left behind, so please share her stories, your memories and the lights she passed on. Her lights of knowledge, encouragement, music, fun, empathy, kindness, generosity, integrity and love.
Guests are invited to share in a Celebration of Life Visitation from 5-7:00 p.m., on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at Carnes Funeral Home, 3100 Gulf Freeway, TX 77591. Funeral Services will start at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, October 18, 2019 with Interment to follow at Forest Park - East Cemetery in Webster, Texas.