Obituary of Michelle Balesteri

Michelle Ann Balesteri ?Shelly? December 27, 1961 ~ January 21, 2011 Following a long, courageous battle, Shelly Balesteri, 49, passed away peacefully into heaven while surrounded by her loved ones. Shelly was born to Joe and JoAnn Lomanto on December 27, 1961, and was a life-long Monterey Peninsula resident. She graduated from Monterey High in 1980 and married her husband Peter in 1987. Their three children, Alisa, Kristina and Peter, were her pride and joy. Shelly worked as a bookkeeper in her family?s business, Dillenback and LoManto Insurance, until her daughter Alisa?s birth in 1989. Shelly loved being a ?stay-at-home? mom, and was frequently seen volunteering at school, church and community events. When her children were old enough to play sports, you could always find Shelly sitting in the stands shouting at the umpire and cheering for her kids. She traveled as far as New York to watch her son Peter play baseball. When her daughter was born with serious medical complications, Shelly spent countless hours caring for Kristina. Shelly?s faith was stronger than the doctor?s prognosis, and Kristina thrived under her loving care. Shelly suffered with polycystic kidney disease for most of her adult life. In 2006, she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, which left her paralyzed. Although she spent the remainder of her life in a wheelchair, it did not stop Shelly. She continued to attend baseball games, school events, church, and lunch out with the girls. Shelly loved doing things for others, had a contagious love for life, a strong faith, and loved to laugh. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched. Shelly is survived by her husband, Peter, of Seaside, her daughter Alisa of Madison, South Dakota, her daughter Kristina and son Peter of Seaside, parents Joe and Sharon LoManto of Monterey, brother John LoManto of Monterey, brother J.R. (Crystal) of Monterey, and sister Joleen (Richard) of Pacific Grove. She is also survived by many other loving family members and friends. Visitation will be at San Carlos Church, Monterey on Wednesday, January 26 from 5-8 pm, with Rosary at 7 pm. Funeral mass will be celebrated at San Carlos Church on Thursday, January 27 at 9:30 am. Reception to follow at San Carlos Parrish Hall. Donations can be made to Polycystic Kidney Foundation, 8330 Ward Parkway, Suite 510, Kansas City, MO 64114-2000.