Long-time Denver resident and beloved community member Sheila K. Hyatt passed away November 8th, 2017, in Denver after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Sheila was born March 13, 1950, in St. Louis, MO. She graduated University City High School in St. Louis, earned her BS at Miami University of Ohio and her JD at Washington University Law School in St. Louis. Sheila married Judge Robert S. Hyatt (Ret) on March 17, 1974. The two moved from Missouri to Colorado in 1979 after falling in love with the beautiful Rocky Mountains and the Colorado way of life. She and Bob loved hiking the mountain trails with their dogs, children and grandchildren. Sheila was a professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law for 38 years and was a highly regarded expert in matters of Colorado Law including Civil Procedure and Evidence law as well as Gender and the Law, which she introduced to the D.U. curriculum. She wrote and lectured extensively and her Handbooks and Treatise on Civil Procedure and Evidence are widely utilized by lawyers and judges. She was a leader on that faculty, serving a term as assistant dean and mentoring many younger colleagues. She was recognized as a Law Star and a Mary Lathrop Trailblazer. She contributed her time and energy to the entire legal community in many ways, including serving on the Supreme Court Evidence Rules Committee for many years. Always involved in the Jewish community, Sheila served in a number of community roles throughout the years, spending her most recent time as a member of the Rocky Mountain Hebrew Chorale. Most of all, Sheila was a loving wife, sister, aunt, mother and grandmother. A true matriarch, she would feed, host, teach and welcome guests by the dozens - and she did it all with a smile, a hug, a visor and a detailed spreadsheet. Sheila is survived by her husband Robert Hyatt; children Dan (Dr. Mandy) Hyatt and Rabbis Emily (Michael) Cohen; grandchildren Hannah and Mason Hyatt and Neil Cohen; brother Stuart (Susan) Krawll, and sisters Jan Fishman and Maralin (Adam) Blistein. Service, Sunday, 1:00pm, Rodef Shalom; Interment Emanuel Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Sheila's memory to the The Denver Hospice, to whom we will be eternally grateful for the love and dignity Sheila received while in their care.

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Published by Denver Post from Nov. 10 to Nov. 12, 2017.

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November 14, 2017

Sheila will be missed by all the members of the Colorado Hebrew Chorale (past and present), her Monday night "family" for the past dozen years (rehearsal night). She was a valued part of the alto section, always prepared and at the ready, and supported her fellow alti with humor and grace. Sheila's devotion to us and to Jewish music extended beyond the gifts of her time and talent; she was equally generous with her wallet throughout the years. We will continue to think of Sheila holding her own in the Andrews Sisters section of Bai Mir Bisti Sheyn, and encourage you to think of her whenever a song comes your way. May Sheila's memory be a source of blessing and comfort to her beloved family, friends, and community. Carol Kozak Ward, Founder and Music Director, Colorado Hebrew Chorale

Karthik Nagarur, Esq.

November 13, 2017

She was one of my favourite professors in law school. I will miss her a lot.

Jerry Benedict

November 12, 2017

My wife Kay and I were their neighbors in Columbia, Missouri in the late 70's. We bonded with Bob and Sheila with our dogs and cats (they also had a pet Boa Constrictor that ended up at the St Louis Zoo). Their dog Lady (never without a ball in her Retriever mouth) and their cats Shirley and Myrna were their beloved pets. Very special people we will never forget. Little did any of us know that we had a mutual friend in Don Ginsberg. He told us about Sheila's passing this evening. Our love to Bob and family Jerry and Kay Benedict (still on West Parkway Drive)

Andrew Sirotnak, MD

November 12, 2017

Bob - My condolences to you and your family. The opportunity to meet you as we briefly shared board duties at COCD/D introduced me your outlook on the community we we served which was filled with warmth and positivity. Reading this rememberance now, it is so very clear that Sheila shared this same outlook and had huge impact on our community and all she had contact with during her career.

November 12, 2017

Remembering you from a long time ago! Beverly Abrams

Mike Meaux

November 10, 2017

My law school "mom", who always had a hug if i needed it and stern word when i needed it...which was often. I know hearsay because of her. I know how to be a better lawyer because of her. I'm a better person, because of her. Sweet, dear, Sheila, you will be missed beyond words.

November 10, 2017

I'm going to miss Sheila's big hugs and making her smile. Please grant peace to Bobby, Emily and Danny and their children. Love- Brother-in-law Mike Fishman

November 10, 2017

My sympathy goes out to the family during your time of grief. May God's loving-kindness comfort you and help you through this difficult time. (Psalms 119:50, 76)

Wayne Rosenthal

November 10, 2017

Robert and Family --- My condolences on the loss of Sheila. I knew Sheila (and you also) from University City High School. Sheila was a very fine person.

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