Sheila Sales Obituary

Sheila Sales

1944 - 2023

Sheila Sales peacefully passed away at home in March 2023. Sheila was optimistic and unflappably brave during her entire 4-year battle with illness. She demonstrated how to live gracefully with adversity and to embrace life with courage. Her family is heartbroken with her passing.

Sheila is survived by her husband, Dr. Michael Sales, her children, Adina and Adam, her son in law and daughter in law, 4 grandchildren, her brother Herb and sister in law, and many lifelong closest friends. Sheila had incredibly close relationships, a loving extended family, and she nurtured friendships in all activities throughout her life. Meeting new friends at the Mahjong table was a source of joy in her final years.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Sheila worked as a medical assistant after completing school prior to meeting Mike. Sheila and Mike married in the Philippine Islands where Mike was serving in the Armed Forces. Their honeymoon years abroad allowed adventures throughout the region. There, they formed an unbreakable lifelong bond.

Sheila put family and friends before all. She was extremely proud of the many successes of her children and grandchildren. She too, however, was a creative and talented person who took great joy in knitting, cooking, photography and reading. Her penmanship was as beautifully crafted and consistent as her knit gauge. She was extremely resourceful, independent, wise and charismatic, the backbone of the family home.

A truly good and caring person, Sheila was beautiful inside and out. Over the years, starting as a youngster, she volunteered at hospitals, with the Red Cross in the Philippines, at the kids' schools and with multiple community organizations. She knit hundreds of hats for cancer patients. She believed wholeheartedly in arts and creative education for self-discovery and nurturing the whole person. Sheila cared so deeply for the people around her. She made an impact on many lives. She will be forever loved and missed. In lieu of flowers, her family wishes to honor Sheila's memory with donations to the Orcutt Children's Art Foundation. https://www.orcuttarts.com

Visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.

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Published by Santa Maria Times on Apr. 27, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Sheila Sales

Sponsored by Dudley-Hoffman Mort, Crematory & Memory Gardens.

9 Entries

Beverly Oliveira

April 21, 2024

I am so sorry to hear this! My times with Sheila were during the time her kids were in high school. I was the JSA advisor and she would chaperone trips to the two JSA conventions in Los Angeles. We had many meals together while the students were at different workshops. Many interesting conversations would be had. I have many memories of those times. Rest in Peace, my friend.

Beth Roth

May 8, 2023

Here we are, 4 great friends in front of one of our schools: this is State Street Jr High School.
On the Sunday of our Hackensack 50th reunion
we took a trip down memory lane.
That´s me Beth, on the left, then Leanne (deceased) then Vicki, next, of course, our Sheila.
Sheila was still her happy sweet, upbeat self.
We all agreed that none of us had changed
a bit. I would tell Sheila she was "New Jersey strong" these last years xoxo

Vilma and Brad Sams

May 1, 2023

Sheila was an amazing person and a wonderful friend. We always looked forward to our time spent with her and Mike. She was always so much fun to talk to. When she listened, she make us feel like we were the most important people to her. We will miss her dearly.
Vilma and Brad Sams

Leigh Olsen

May 1, 2023

I am so saddened to learn of Sheila's passing. She was indeed one of the bright lights at Mah Jongg where we met. I thought she had this thing beat, but glad that whatever grace gave us those few extra years. May she be long remembered and loved.

Lori Brief

April 30, 2023

I am saddened that Sheila left us so soon. I just started to play Mah Jongg in Santa Maria, and Sheila was the first person to speak with me and make me feel comfortable in new surroundings. I enjoyed playing MJ with her even though I would always have to pay her when she won, and she won often! You could tell she loved the game. She is missed.

John and Rosalyn Pierini

April 28, 2023

What a beautiful accounting of her life. She will surely be missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

Beverly Oliveira

April 27, 2023

I am so sad to hear of Sheila´s passing. I met Sheila through JSA at Righetti. She drove many a group to conventions in LA and she and I, and other chaperones had meals together. It was always fun to have her with our group and the many talks that we had. Please accept my sincere condolences..

Meg & Dan Purdy

April 27, 2023

Sweet Shee-lee will be so missed. It was an honor to know and love her, and to be loved by such a generous and abundantly kind woman-my deepest condolences to the Sales family.

Vicki

April 27, 2023

My dearest and closest friend of over 60 years will be so missed. She was the sister I never had and I was so blessed to have her in my life.

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