Rochelle (Shelly) Honig passed away peacefully at home on July 3, 2024 at 81, after a courageous battle with pulmonary disease. She was a dedicated stay-at-home mom, a compassionate public health nurse, an enthusiastic farmer at the local farmers markets and a master gardener.

Gardening was one of Shelly’s greatest joys; she cultivated not only her own garden but also shared her bounty with local food banks, embodying her commitment to community service. Above all, Shelly was immensely proud of her five children, who grew into outstanding adults, carrying forward her values of kindness and resilience. She loved her farm animals, particularly her chickens and goats.

Shelly was born on November 14, 1942 in Kansas City, Mo., and grew up in Middletown, Conn.. After high school, she attended the University of Connecticut, where she earned bachelor and master’s degrees in biology. Her first job was at the (prestigious) Sloan Kettering Cancer Research Institute in New York City, where she worked until her first marriage to Jay Davis. She helped her husband through medical school working in a cancer-research lab at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

In 1975, she arrived in Humboldt County with her first-born, Jenny, and very pregnant with Adam. She and her then-husband were looking for a good place to raise their children (who would soon include a third, Emily) where they could “get back to the land.” She was initially a stay-at-home mom—kept busy by three active young children, also by hosting a 4-H group, baking healthy breads, and growing a huge garden where she raised food for her young family and numerous gophers.

When her first marriage ended after 20 years, Shelly earned a nursing degree at Humboldt, and met Ron Honig. They were married in 1994 and blended their families, and Shelly became a step-mom to Hilary and Madeline. They enlarged the house, and Shelly began working as a public health nurse. Shelly continued her life long quest of learning by taking up hobbies, chief of which was to study the Jewish religion and became active in the local Jewish community. She and Ron also managed the large apple orchard that had been planted on their two-plus acres.

They could be seen at the Arcata Farmer’s Market providing apples, apple butter and apple-cider vinegar — as well as eggs from a decent-sized flock of chickens. She and Ron became familiar faces and many of their customers became friends.

In 1999, she first became a grandmother (Zoe), and seven other grandkids followed (Malcolm, Savannah, Gage, Graham, Hadley, Sawyer, and Milo).

After a long-ish illness, she died peacefully in her own home on July 3, 2024, after three days in Hospice Care. She has left an empty spot for those of us who knew and loved her. She would not have wanted flowers or donations in her name. Rather, she’d have asked you to be kind to somebody you don’t know.

Shelly’s spirit will be remembered fondly by all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and dedication to her family and community. A LIFE WELL LIVED.

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