Quashei Mone Raquel Wilbourn

We gather to celebrate the vibrant life of Quashei Mone Raquel Wilbourn, known affectionately as Shei, whose laughter was as infectious as her spirit was indomitable. Shei was born on October 25, 1995 in Red Bank, NJ; a town that was never quite the same after her arrival. On February 10, 2026, she left us from Long Branch, NJ, departing this world as she lived in it—unconventionally and with a story to tell.

Shei was a force of nature, a whirlwind of love and mischief that swept through the lives of her family, leaving a trail of smiles and the occasional misplaced sneaker. She was the beloved daughter of Heather Martin and Clint Wilbourn III; the cherished sister of Quashawn Wilbourn, Michael Gilliard Jr., MyQuiel Gilliard and Myyckhi Martin-Gilliard and the step-daughter of a father who raised her from the tender age of two, the late Michael Gilliard Sr. and also moms significant other Sidney Mcdowell and father's wife Nina Post-Wilbourn and her maternal grandma Bonnie Reichert. Her maternal and paternal families were vast and full of characters, from the maternal grandparents who adored her, to the paternal figure who imparted wisdom, to the siblings who shared in her shenanigans, and the nieces and nephew  Masaii, Ares, and Maiella she doted on. She was predeceased by her maternal grandpa Robert W. Martin (Poppie) and her grandma Evelina D. Wilbourn-Townes.

A graduate of Matawan Regional High School’s Class of 2015, Shei carried the same energy into her professional life, where she worked with children in various roles. Whether at Sky Zone or other venues, she was the one who could turn a frown upside down and a somersault into a life lesson. Shei's Christian faith was as integral to her as her love for basketball, her unwavering support for the Eagles, and her passion for all things music. She could sketch her dreams and wear her heart on her sleeve—or rather, on her trendy hats and stylish sneakers. Shei loved Elmo and Bluey. Not because she refused to grow up, but because she understood the power of joy and innocence. She dressed fly, not for the world, but because every day was worth celebrating. Her love of life was as evident as her adventurous soul, which, no doubt, is now exploring realms beyond our own. The words that best capture Shei's essence are loving, friendly, and adventurous. She lived out loud, laughed with her whole body, and embraced every moment with the gusto of a stand-up comic delivering the punch line.

Shei's legacy is not in the silence of her absence but in the echoes of her laughter, the stories her loved ones will continue to share, and the warmth she left in the hearts of all who knew her. She was the life of the party, the bright color on a drab canvas, and the unexpected joke during a serious moment. And while we mourn her untimely departure, we also celebrate the time we had with a woman who was truly one of a kind.

So here's to Shei, whose life was a comedy sketch that left us all in stitches. She may have exited stage left a bit earlier than we would have liked, but the applause for her performance will resonate forever. Shei, you will be missed, but never forgotten. Your spirit lives on in every chuckle, every playful doodle, and every pair of fly sneakers walking the streets. Rest in peace and laughter, dear Shei.

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