SHEILA ALEXANDER

1941 - 2020

SHEILA MACHLIS ALEXANDER  
Sheila Machlis Alexander of Washington, DC died peacefully Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Shady Grove Hospital due to serious escalating health issues and Covid-19. Born May 30, 1941 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Alex and Rebecca Machlis. She is survived by sister Gloria Machlis Heyman and brother-in-law Dr. Paul Heyman; nephews Dr. Peter Heyman (Allison) and Dr. Michael Heyman; great-nephew Alex Aaron Heyman and great-niece Sadie Reese Heyman. Sheila will also be lovingly remembered by her many loyal friends and devoted cousins, and especially by cousin Sophie Finkelman of Brooklyn, NY. Sheila earned a Bachelor's Degree in Art History from GWU and a Master's Degree in Museum Education from Bank Street Graduate School of Education. Her career spanned over 40 years at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History where she retired in 2003 as Museum Specialist Emeritus, Ceramics and Glass Collection. Sheila loved her city life in DC, including art galleries and openings, museums, theater, festivals, demonstrations, film society, and a passion for DC architecture. She was a member of CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) in the 1960s. She was a firm supporter of civil rights, social justice, climate control and animal rights among the many issues important to her. She was also a world traveler with many stories to tell. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, The Humane Society of the United States, or Southern Poverty Law Center. The family looks forward to an in-person celebration of Sheila's life when COVID restrictions are lifted. Services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care.www.sagelbloomfield.com