Shayla Wells

With profound and abiding sorrow, we announce the sudden passing of Shayla on Sunday February 23, 2025, at age 23 in Calgary, Alberta after a period of illness. Shayla was a beloved and cherished daughter and eldest of three children for parents Aden Wells and Vicki Wells, and a devoted big sister to her youngest sibling and treasured brother Derion. She was predeceased by her adored sister and best friend Tonya four years ago aged 16 and she mourned that loss intensely. Shayla is also predeceased by her paternal grandmother Nana Celia, her maternal Grandpa Thomas and Great-Aunt Phyllis, her paternal Great-Aunt Yvonne and paternal cousin Lincoln.

Shayla was born in Toronto in October 2001, and lived in Calgary since the family’s return in 2005. She leaves behind many grieving relatives, including her paternal grandfather, Papa Neville and wife Penny; maternal Grandma Dorothy; Great-Uncle Roger and Aunt Jacinta; Great-Uncle Godfrey; Great-Aunt Edie; paternal Aunt Neva and Uncle Oliver, Aunt Kathy, Uncle Richard and Aunt Carla Jordan; maternal Aunt Veronica and Uncle Brian, Aunt Toni, Uncle Thomas; numerous cousins including: Ashley and Ethan; Xavier, Antonio, Sade, Marcus, and Simon; Fabrice, Jade, Courtnay, Jasmine and Cathia; Jasmine and Janelle; Floyd, Mackenzie and Khellissia; Madison and Roman; and Malik, Aleena, and Marcus. Many cousins reside in Calgary and some in other parts of Canada, others in the USA, the Caribbean, and N. Ireland with more extended family.

All but one of Shayla’s grandparents were first generation arrivals to Canada, from N. Ireland and Grenada, West Indies. They all created families and enjoyed successful lives and careers ranging from banking, management, arbitration, the Canadian Forces, firefighting, and law enforcement. Shayla was proud of her heritage of mixed European, South Asian and African ancestry and she was an amazing representation of those places. She participated in the youth wing of the Calgary Caribbean Cultural Associations and contributed to important work for various events addressing modern life challenges for multicultural and racialized kids and teens. She was especially passionate about her involvement with the annual Calgary Caribbean Youth Summit.

Shayla was a beautiful young woman, smart, energetic and fun, with a bright wit and charm, radiant smile and infectious laugh. She was also warm and thoughtful, and reliably loyal and caring with family and friends. Shayla loved books, games, art, culture, and movies. She sought out and appreciated all varieties of music and was gifted with a natural ear for notes and melody, and talent for playing various instruments. Shayla relished playing and watching sports, especially professional soccer, basketball, and volleyball. She started dance classes at an early age and embraced different styles, from ballet and contemporary to tap, and excelled in recitals and performances. She enjoyed her work and colleagues, was clever and adept with technology and always quick to learn new skills.

Like her siblings, Shayla was generous and compassionate with an affinity for animals and enjoyed the zoo and watching nature shows. She leaves behind her pets, Kevin the hedgehog and Chilli the cat, to the care and comfort of her bereaved family.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Shayla’s life will be held Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Valleyview Church, 7655 26 Ave SW, Calgary, with Visitation from 1pm and Funeral Service at 2pm. Reception to follow.

The family thanks everyone for their care, concern and many kindnesses throughout our time of mourning. In lieu of flowers and if desired, contributions to a planned permanent memorial for both sisters are gratefully accepted and appreciated.