Shelley Unruh’s friends were somewhat surprised when she left a career in apartment management to become office manager of a local, corporate-owned mortuary back in 1997. Yet to Shelley, who wanted to utilize her psychology degree, the change seemed a natural one. Little did she realize the satisfaction she would experience helping families cope with the death of a loved one.

Yet, after a while, Shelley realized that a family-owned mortuary was a better fit for her. Knowing Downing & Lahey as a mortuary dedicated to quality and service, she siezed the opportunity to make the transition in 2003, and has no regrets. Shelley has nothing but praise for her coworkers’ compassion and attention to detail, and has welcomed the opportunity to meet the needs of client families without the constraints of corporate rules and regulations.

Outside the office, Shelley spends much of her time with her husband, Jim, their three daughters and five grandchildren.