Shelley Jo Sohriakoff

Shelley Jo (Jensen) Sohriakoff was born in Portland, Ore., Nov. 15, 1953, to Paul and Mary Lou Jensen. She passed away peacefully in her home Jan. 24, 2024, with her husband, Jim, and son, Peter, by her side. Her 15-year battle with Alzheimer's disease was done with grace and strength of character.
Shelley was a loving mother to three children, grandmother to three, and she treasured 49 years of marriage with her husband, Jim. The couple lived in Hillsboro, Ore., for the past four decades where they raised their children and contributed to their community and church.
Shelley grew up in the Portland area, attending Sunset High School in Beaverton and then Northwest Nazarene College in Idaho, which was where she met Jim. Upon graduation, they were married and moved to Kirksville, Mo., where Jim had been accepted into medical school. Over the next four years, Shelley held a position as editor of a local paper while Jim studied - she was always an excellent reader and writer. Following medical school, the couple returned to Oregon to begin Jim's medical practice and start their family. Shelley had many talents and strengths, but she would often express that it was motherhood that provided her with a deep sense of purpose and satisfaction. She was immensely proud of her three children and enjoyed raising them while working part-time at Jim's clinic as their bookkeeper.
Shelley's personal interests included music - she was an accomplished singer and pianist; books and literature, particularly historical nonfiction; and spending quality time with her close friends, of whom there were many. She was also an exuberant traveler and she and Jim saw the world together. Whether it was providing aid to developing countries, European cross-country treks or family road trips, Shelley relished each new experience. Even while her illness took its toll, Shelley maintained an active lifestyle, walking with Jim to work each day and managing one last grand adventure in 2022 with a 50-mile hike across the Swiss Alps.
Shelley was an exceptionally loving wife, mother and grandmother, and dear friend to so many. She was a fervent Christian who wholeheartedly strived to live a sincere and uplifting life. She will always be remembered for her kind spirit, quick wit, beautiful voice, thoughtful demeanor, and soft-spoken nature. Shelley had so much to give, and she continued to do so despite the immense challenges over the past few years. She was utterly loved and will be dearly missed.
Shelley is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Peter Sohriakoff, Sara Szymanski and Anna Ouellette; their spouses, Caitlin Mahoney, Jarek Szymanski and Eric Ouellette; grandchildren, Greta and Stevie Sohriakoff and Owen Ouellette; sister, Shannon Greene; brother, Todd Jensen; uncle, Dee Anderson and adopted aunt, Norma Lock; as well as a host of in-laws and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her parents, Mary Lou and Paul Jensen, and her aunt, Dory Anderson.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Hillsboro. Burial will follow at Fir Lawn Memorial Park. Arrangements by Fir Lawn Funeral Home.