I also remember visiting Sheila in Prescott when I was driving from Phoenix to a friend's weddding in Sedona. We ate at Red Lobster and swapped stories about family members and she told me all about her synagogue, which she was president of at the time.

You'll be missed, cousin Sheila.

 Carl

            Camping outings were some of the best times.  One in particular was our trip to Utah to see the petroglyphs along the river.  Of course, it rained and we all were soaked, but that didn’t dampen our spirits at all.

            Arvilla was proud to have worked with Sheila when they both were financial planners in the same office.  Sheila amazed us all by scoring in the 90th percentile the first time she sat for the Series Seven Exam.  That was almost unheard of! We were all very proud of her.

            Sheila invited us to a dinner, where we were enlightened about the service and what it meant.  We were also pleased to attend Temple here where Sheila performed part of the service. We will be making a donation to the Temple in her memory.

            Lynn, we thank you so much for sending us photos and word about Sheila all these years.

Sincerely, Nancy and Arvilla

          Sheila was so caring and smart—she was the best.

Arlene Brownie:

She's been missed since she moved, but will be even more now. I loved her and I remember her playing softball and how much she loved sports.  She was always busy and could never “sit still.”  I have missed her since the day she went to California. 
 

Bonnie Manko:

This is sad news, however, Sheila is now free, whole and perfect.  Life truly short-changed that wonderful woman.  She was blessed with a bouquet of loving sisters who made sure she was in the best place for physical, social and emotional care.

When she worked at Hepburn, she was our financial adviser,   Sheila was President of Temple B'rith Shalom, as well as involved in many Temple committees and projects.  She was involved with the Soroptimists in Prescott, she was quite the athlete and lover of the outdoors.  She was a loving friend to many.  When I think of Sheila and close my eyes, I see her beautiful, sincere and infectious smile. May she rest in peace.  G-d bless her amazing family.

Fran Garner (another co-founder of Chevra Kadisha. “Tahara” is the formal ceremony we do to prepare the deceased for burial.)

I will never forget the honor it was to perform Tahara as our group.  I would always come home with a special inner glow that never really has left my soul. 

       I think of Sheila who always acted as our practice body during trainings.  Talk about a good soul!  That was Sheila.  She and I went to a Chevra Kaddisha conference in Las Vegas one year.  It was such a neat experience for both of us.  The drive there and back were fun and we had some funny experiences.  Sheila will always hold a dear place in my heart.

Shara and Paul Beck

Lynn, our sympathy to you and Sheila’s family, our world has lost a truly kind person.
 We always enjoyed Sheila’s company, her uplifting attitude made a person feel good while you were with her. I never heard a bad word about other people from her, she was truly a very kind hearted, caring person.
     Our love and hugs,
     Paul & Shara Beck

Sheila touched so many by WHO she was and HOW she lived.

In her unique and wonderful way she was an “Eishet Havil”—a woman of valor with wisdom, kindness, and commitment to family and community--both Jewish and non-Jewish.

          I first came to know her thru Temple B’rith Shalom. Later, with a handful of other women, we created the Chevra Kadisha of Northern Arizona (Jewish Burial Society).

While only one of many who admired Sheila’s direct, honest, positive yet unassuming approach to life, I’m also most grateful for a very personal gift she gave to me.

Long ago, about 1992, we had a lunch date. I had some questions for her because I knew that she had had an adult Bat Mitzvah ceremony in her 50s-- before we had met. Now I was considering doing the same down the road, when I turned 48.

          I opened with, “I’m seriously thinking about a Bat Mitzvah. But I don’t want to commit to doing that until I figure out WHY in the world I’m so drawn to the idea.”

Now Sheila knew I was a Philosophy and logic professor at the local college. Without skipping a beat, and with a big smile, she responded, “For some things we really don’t have to know all the intellectual reasons for why something feels right for us. We should do it—not wait til we figure it all out in our heads.”  Of course she was right. I needed the reminder, and the gentle nudge.

So I had that Bat Mitzvah. To my (and others’) surprise it became yet another step in my becoming a more educated, more committed Jew—and eventually, a rabbi. I still can’t tell you all the reasons….

If I had seen Sheila again before she died, I would have reminded her of the role she played. And told her “Todah rabbah-- thanks so very much: for your friendship, for modeling real wisdom, and real commitment to the best of Jewish values and human values.”

Sheila’s memory is indeed a blessing.

                                                                   Rabbi Nina Perlmutter

 Sheila and I were colleagues in Financial Planning.

 I met Sheila in 2002 when she was a Financial Planner with Hepburn and Associates in Prescott and I was the new kid on the block in the company.  We had hit it off immediately.  She was always so happy and nice to be around.  I was a new Adviser in the business and enjoyed being around Sheila.  She exuded such lovely confidence in her practice and I was able to see how well she took care of her clients.  Sheila was an educator always!  She made sure that her clients were up to speed, in the know and understood what was going on with their investments.  They absolutely loved her and I could see why!

When Sheila decided that she would retire so that she and her beloved Mary could travel more, Sheila approached me and asked if I would be interested in taking over her book of clients.  I was new in the industry and understood that this was a great opportunity to launch my career.  I took her up on the offer and knew, before any of the transition began, that I would have big shoes to fill.  She was a powerhouse and I knew that her clients would come to expect the same level of understanding, advice and education in their new adviser.  I was up to the task and am grateful that most of those clients are still with me to this day.  It has been 13 years since Sheila retired and many times a year, most of my review appointments begin with our client saying, "before we begin, have you heard from Sheila, how is she, please send her my best".

 I also knew Sheila as well as her partner Mary on a personal level.  They were a great couple to be around, they were kind, loving and full of positive energy.  What always would make me giggle, was when you would see Sheila at work, she was very focused and on task.  However, if Mary would stop by, you would immediately see Sheila's face light up so bright and another side emerged.  Mary would immediately begin making everyone in the room laugh, and you could see in Sheila's eyes, why she loved Mary so.   I am very happy in my heart to know that Sheila and Mary are together once again.  They shared a great life and love and are now able to travel ANYWHERE and do ANYTHING they so desire. 

 So my dear friend Sheila, I will miss you for all of my own selfish reasons.  However, please know that I am the professional I am today because of the opportunity that you gave me along with your wisdom and guidance.  Thank you for being that force in my life.     

My love, prayers and highest intentions to Sheila's family and friends.

Nancy R. Jauregui