Kelsey Lisha-Fu Shaak

Kelsey was born in the Jiangxi Province in China on April 7, 1996. She was 7 months old when she was placed in the arms of her parents, Bob and Kelly Shaak of Quakertown, PA, on November 10, 1996. Despite being plagued with medical complications for much of her life, Kelsey was joyful, creative, optimistic, strong and resilient throughout her life. People were instantly drawn to her sparkly personality, infectious laugh and huge smile, and her ability to make every occasion into a party.

Kelsey graduated from Quakertown Community High School in 2014 and received her bachelor’s degree in software engineering from Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport. She began her career at the information technology company, Cognizant. She joined Clark Associates out of Lititz, PA in 2021, providing behind-the-scenes tech support for The Restaurant Store. She truly loved her job and the team she worked with. The feeling was mutual, as they described her as a model employee who always put the team’s goals and needs first.

Kelsey was dearly loved and supported by her family and friends. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her maternal grandmother, Connie Slotter, known to most as Gockey, along with many aunts and uncles, cousins, friends and colleagues who will miss her immensely. She will especially be missed by her boyfriend, Cody McGinnis, and their dog, Raven. 

Animals were always an essential part of Kelsey’s life. She raised two beautiful Seeing Eye puppies, Skye and Stella, who went on to invaluable roles as Seeing Eye dogs. As hard as it was to give up the puppies, Kelsey knew how essential they would be to a blind person. This was typical Kelsey – always thinking of others, right to the end. She also had a special affinity for wolves. Aside from their beauty and mystery, the wolf is a powerful symbol in Chinese culture, associated with honesty, loyalty and courage.

Kelsey also enjoyed baking and crafting, was an avid reader and pianist, and loved games. She was smart, focused and goal-oriented, yet always fun-loving and up for adventure. She battled a rare type of ovarian cancer for nearly three years with incredible strength and courage, and never complained. While life on Earth will never be the same for her family and friends, we are happy she is now at peace in God’s hands.

Calling hours are from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, followed by a service at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Applebachsville (Quakertown), 849 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA 18951. Burial will take place at the church cemetery immediately following the service. All are invited for food, fellowship and continued celebration of Kelsey’s life at the Springtown Firehouse (Station 40, 3010 Rt. 212, Springtown, PA). 

Arrangements are under the care of the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Quakertown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Kelsey’s name, The Seeing Eye (link below), Ovarian Cancer Alliance Research (link below), or St. Luke's Hospice.