Sheila Gallagher

Mrs. Colegrove and family, I was so very surprised to read this sad news in the paper. I am way behind in reading the papers. Please know that all of you are in my prayers.

OMG, I found out late about your passing... My Sister Teresa Jones loved you dearly....and appreciated all you did for her at Melwood Horticultural Center...My family thanks you for all you've done for those with disabilities....You are truly one of GOD's angels.....R.I.P and condolences to your Family

At Melwood, Sheila nurtured both people and plants with love and respect. Her presence, though with us still in spirit, shall be sorely missed. With deep sympathy, Arthur and Roxann Soraci

We are so very sad to hear about Sheila's leaving us. She was one of those people who made your heart fill with warmth. We were lucky she considered us friends.

Lois and I extend our deepest condolences to the Colegrove family. Sheila was and will continue to be a role model for us all; she exemplified kindness, patience, integrity, and a laser focus on doing the right thing. Her calm demeanor and warm smile drew in everyone who met her.

Her life's work, her desire and her passion was to help others, and do the best she could even under difficult circumstance. We had the great good fortune to have known and worked with Sheila at Melwood, Lois for many years.

She taught us a great deal about horticulture, but more importantly she taught us all how to be better people.

She will be missed and remembered by us all. We are all better people for having known her.

Sheila, thank you for your kindness and positive spirit. It has been a pleasure! Until we meet again - Peace to you my friend.

I am so sorry to hear that Sheila passed away. She was a wonderful person.

Remembering Sheila,

We will miss Sheila. She was the face of Melwood. She poured her life into the people and the community. We miss her already. Her legacy will live on and she will never be forgotten. She gave the phrase one Melwood meaning.

Sheila was a mother to the people served in the truest sense of the word. She loved, nurtured, taught, educated, listened, and advocated for people served here, through AVAPE in Brazil, at the Horticultural Symposiums in the mid-West and even was a horticultural subject matter expect in Taiwan. Our Cathedral sales will never be the same. Sheila used her God-given talents to teach, elevate, and comfort. Horticulture brought her joy but it was also therapy. She even taught us to be more considerate of the earth and our power over it.

Sheila built lasting relationships for Melwood. Her love and knowledge of horticulture brought volunteers and supporters to Melwood that ultimately opened many other doors of opportunity. Melwood will forever be in her debt. She has gone on to glory, to receive her crown, and to hear those words, well done, well done, my good and faithful servant.

Farewell, Sheila, well done. In Loving Memory, Sandra Ginyard and Fran Reynolds

Ours prayers to the family, Sheila you will be always miss, but we know that God's garden is well taking care. Love Juan & Eli Rivas

Sheila, you added color to my work day, my yard and my life. You expressed everything that we all want to be. We are all poorer for your passing, but richer in having known you even a minute, or being touched by your hand or heart. See you in the garden...love and peace to you and your family

So sorry to learn about Shelia's passing. What a wonderful person and kindred spirit. I really enjoyed meeting her and being able to spend time with her at several Horticultural Therapy conferences. She was truly an inspiration to me and I was so glad that I was able to visit her at Melwood where she took the time to show me around and give me some encouraging words of advice. She was truly an inspiration and I will miss seeing her at other Horticultural Therapy conferences and workshops.

Sheila made me feel welcome from my first day at Melwood. I was a volunteer, and horticulture therapy student. We spent many lunches at Melwood discussing how she came to become a horticulture therapist. Our backgrounds, and path to horticulture therapy were very similiar, and I was inspired by Sheila's outcome. Whenever I was at Melwood, Sheila's abundant energy with the clients and staff were apparent. She was an inspirational individual, on a professonal and personal level.

More beautiful than the flowers she grew
Loved and admired by those she knew
Gone too soon but she's at peace
Truly loved - she will be missed
Elaine Chamberlain

What a joy to know Sheila as a Master Gardener. She was always willing to teach and share. She will be greatly missed.

Your family and Sheila are in my prayers. She will be greatly missed. What a great contributions she gave to life.
Dorothea Oliff (RIVA Maryland)

My sincere sympathy to the Colegrove family. Sheila was a loving,joyful, and caring friend. I will miss her so much. There are so many whose lives she touched and to which her generous spirit brought happiness and a sense of fulfillment.

This wonderful spirit will be missed by all who were touched by her love, compassion and friendship. Sheila my friend, I know we will meet again. We will walk along a gold path. We will talk and laugh and you will show and teach me about all the flowers that grow in heaven.....

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope it brings you comfort knowing one day you will see her again and enjoy together this promise at Isaiah 65:1-2 which reads, "They will build houses and live in them, and they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. They will not build for someone else to inhabit, nor will they plant for others to eat. For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, and the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full.

My deepest condolences to your family and friends. Thank you Sheila for your kindness.

Sheila you are my inspiration to live life to the fullest. You will be missed but live in the hearts of every person you touched. I have so many wonderful memories my friend.