Norwich, VT- Shelby Smith Grantham died October 29th, 2022, at the age of 82. Born in New York City in 1940 and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, she graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1962 and earned her doctorate from the University of Virginia in 1973. Her love of English led to her career as an educator, writer, and editor; she worked at the Dartmouth College Alumni Magazine for twelve years, then taught English at Dartmouth until her retirement in 2008.

Shelby pursued many interests and never let anyone's expectations stand in her way. In college, she discovered she could get out of Phys. Ed. by enrolling in the Navy ROTC navigation class—the first woman at "Ole Miss" to do so—where she scored in the top 10%. Over the course of her life, she ran a printing press, worked on classic cars, lived in a treehouse, brewed beer, and performed in community theater. She was an avid gardener and vegan cook.

She was jailed for protesting the Vietnam War and became a lifelong activist for social justice and for racial and gender equality. In the Hanover Friends meeting, she was active on the Peace and Social Concerns committee, and she volunteered at the Haven. She was also an animal lover and rights advocate.

Shelby had three children, two of whom she adopted as a single mother. She said nothing in life meant more to her or was more thrilling than raising her children. All three were with her when she passed.

She is survived by her children, Evan Grantham-Brown, Grey Grantham, and Raven Grantham; and by her sisters, Margaret Dawson and Cindy Lovejoy. She received a green burial at her home. A celebration of her life will be scheduled soon.

In lieu of flowers, Shelby asked for memorial contributions to the New York Farm Sanctuary ( farmsanctuary.org ) or the 911 Architecture Truth Fund ( ae911truth .)