Gay Ann Goodfellow Shea Tangen passed away from complications of chronic heart failure on September 19, 2026, at the age of 66.

Gay Ann was born on June 19, 1960, in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Paul and Marie Alice (Wagner) Goodfellow. For more than 40 years, she absolutely loved living in Marathon, in the heart of the fabulous Florida Keys.

Gay Ann graduated from Walters Preparatory High School in New Orleans and attended the International Fine Arts College in Miami, earning a degree in fashion merchandising. She was the proud owner of The Scalloped Shell gift shop in Marathon, former preschool director of Kreative Kids Christian Academy at New Life Church, former Director of Christian Education at Kirk of the Keys Church, and a Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics.

Gay Ann volunteered at the Dolphin Research Center and as a Pink Lady at Fisherman’s Hospital. She coordinated fashion show fundraisers and started “A Taste of the Islands” fundraiser as the former Ways and Means Chairwoman of Marathon Business and Professional Women club. She also founded the Family Fun Fest at Marathon City Park. Gay Ann arranged for a memorial plaque to be placed at the San Pablo Catholic Church prayer garden to remember babies who lost their lives.

Gay Ann was a woman of deep faith and enjoyed attending church. She loved scrapbooking, being by the ocean, boating to the sandbar, and holiday traditions with home cooked family meals. Each year she celebrated her birthday with a Louisiana crawfish boil and Gambino’s doberge cake, and she cherished taking an annual family photo. She spent many weekends passionately cheering on the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, and Florida State Seminoles. Beyond the births of her children and grandchildren, two of the most memorable days of her life were riding on a Mardi Gras parade float in New Orleans and meeting her teen idol Donny Osmond in Las Vegas.

Gay Ann will forever be known for her fashion sense and style, especially her love of the color pink and vibrantly colored Lilly Pulitzer dresses, which she said made her happy. Though, nothing made her happier than having all four of her children together — and she never missed a chance to support them: from the sidelines of sports games and coaching their cheerleading squad at Island Christian School, to the Reel Conch booth at local markets, to movie premieres, and babysitting her beloved grandchildren. Family was Gay Ann’s greatest blessing — and in memory of her, may we always remember, as she always said, “how special we are and how much we are loved.”

A heartfelt thank you is extended to her caregiver Margarita from Sit’n In The Keys, her hospice nurses Monica, Tiffany and Chelsea with Amedisys Hospice of the Florida Keys, her medical team, and Dr. Ken Kerut for their devoted care and compassion over the years.

Gay Ann is survived by her siblings, Dr. Keith Goodfellow (and wife Darla) and Dr. Denise Kerut (and husband Dr. Ken Kerut); and her four children, who were the joy of her life: Steven Shea, Jr. (and wife Melanie), Aimee Vitek (and husband Kenny), Caitlin Worden (and husband Allen), and Kirsten Tangen. She leaves behind a legacy for her five grandsons, who adoringly knew her as GG: Victor, Nathanael, Timothy, Isaac, and Jeremiah. She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews. Gay Ann is preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Robin Tangen, her former husband and friend, Steven P. Shea, Sr., her parents and grandparents.

Gay Ann’s ashes will be spread in the waters off Coral Key, in a ceremony reserved only for immediate family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Kirk of the Keys Church in Marathon, Florida (8877 Overseas Hwy). All are welcome to join in remembering Gay Ann — and guests are encouraged to wear bright colors in honor of her memory.