It is with great sadness that the family of Sheila Olive Shand announce her peaceful passing on Monday, November 2, 2020 at the age of 87 after a long, courageous battle with lung cancer. She is preceded in death by her husband Bill, survived by her children, Denise & husband Mike, Bill & wife Sharon, Lesley & husband Kyle and her 6 grandchildren, Michael, Michelle, Billy, Natalie, Garrett and Kylie. She will be sadly missed by her surviving siblings Malcolm, Mavis, Alan, Maureen and their families as well as the families of her siblings who have preceded her in death, Vera, Bob, Eric and Evelyn.

Sheila was born the 7th of 9 children on September 29, 1933 in a small home in Sidcup, Kent, England. Sheila had a vivacious personality and eternal optimism which endeared her to all who knew her. She often referred to herself as a troublemaker, never scared to back down from a fight, especially if it meant protecting her siblings when growing up. Because of her spirited personality, her family referred to her as a Spitfire, a term she wore proudly. She was full of life, ready for any excuse for a party, even if it was just to celebrate being together. If she gave people around her a fun escape from realities of life, and made people laugh, even if it was at her own expense, she felt accomplished. She often voiced that she felt she did good when she was able to make others laugh or smile.

Sheila lived an amazing and full life with many adventures. Having lived her childhood near London during WWII, she grew up in a home with meager means but full of love during times of uncertainty. She had many stories of waking up to sounds of doodlebugs overhead and bombings close to home, spending many a night in their air raid shelter. She often shared happy memories of her family outings after the war, enjoying simple pleasures of life including camping and attending dances with her siblings, which is where she met her husband, Bill. They married at St. John’s Church of England in 1957.

True to her adventurous nature, she encouraged her husband to apply and accept an engineering job in the U.S. Leaving the family and life they knew to start anew with their own family in a brand new world. Sailing across the ocean on the Queen Elizabeth, they arrived in NY on the morning of July 15, 1962, pulling into the harbor at sunrise, just in time for their first glimpse of the NY city skyline. They eventually and proudly became U.S. citizens in 1972. Sheila was a driving force behind her family’s success as wife, mother & office manager of her husband’s small business, SAC Communications. Sheila was able to use her expansive administrative and telephonist experience to support and build their business, even later becoming owner of their company.

Sheila supported her husband through several serious health battles before his death three years ago. Tragically, she was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly after his death. True to her fighting spirit, she did not let this prevent her from enjoying life and living it to the fullest. Sheila fought a hard, courageous battle to the end with the same gusto with which she lived life. She died at home in Manassas, Virginia with her loving family surrounding her, joining her beloved husband in Heaven on his birthday.

Sheila’s cremains will be interred along with her husband during a small private burial for immediate family at Orlean Cemetery in Marshall, Virginia, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains they so loved. A celebration of life will follow next year post Covid Virus concerns. Family will notify friends and family of details once arrangements can be made.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 124 Park St SE Ste 100, Vienna, VA 22180, or https://donate3.cancer.org/.

Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com.

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