Michele “Shelly” Marie Geasler passed away peacefully at the age of 63 on May 12, 2026, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, surrounded by her family.

She was born on April 29, 1963, in Allegan County, Michigan, to Mitchell Geasler and Margie (Swindlehurst) Geasler.

Shelly grew up in Iowa and Michigan, and was active in 4-H, developing a love of animals and a spirit of community that defined her life. She was a proud Hokie, earning both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Information Systems from Virginia Tech. A pioneer for women in technology, she co-founded Multimedia Software in Frederick in 1992, leading the company as CEO for nearly a decade. In 2001, she founded her own consulting firm, Catoctin Ridge LLC, beginning more than twenty years of successful independent work. Most recently, she joined Johns Hopkins University full-time as a Senior Director, where she was deeply admired for her leadership and institution-wide impact.

A woman of strong convictions and a sharp sense of humor, Shelly was often the funniest person in the room: the one dancing on stage with a tambourine, the one who never forgot your birthday, and the one whose joyful laugh was instantly recognizable. She delighted in time spent with treasured friends and family, traveling, cheering for the Frederick Keys, golfing, sewing, and caring for her sheep. She loved being outdoors, whether hiking, biking, or swimming at the beach, and some of her happiest moments were spent with family at the Chesapeake Bay and Camp Ladd in Maine, or in the company of her many beloved dogs: Murphy, Josie, and Stevie. Shelly was a steadfast champion of her daughters, teaching them to sew, raising lambs alongside them, cheering for them at the Great Frederick Fair, and encouraging them with kindness and enthusiasm.

She is survived by her husband, Peter Roe; her daughters, Bailey and Jamie Roe; her mother, Margie Geasler; her father, Mitchell Geasler; her brother, Jeffrey Geasler; and her aunt, Emily “M” Geasler, along with many other loving relatives and friends. We will carry her courage, humor, and love with us in all that we do, honoring a woman who was truly the best of us.

An evening visitation will be held next Wednesday, May 20, from 6-8 pm ET, followed by a service on Thursday, May 21st, at 2 pm ET. Both will take place at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.