Sheila Stephens

With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we announce the passing of our beloved mother whose presence enriched every space she touched.

Intelligent, always curious, and endlessly tenacious, she moved through the world with a mind that sought understanding and a spirit that refused to give up on what mattered. She saw the goodness in every person and believed in personal responsibility, integrity, and hard work.

She grew up in Colorado and Oregon, graduated with honors from Colorado College, and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. As an avid reader and lifelong learner, she carried a wealth of knowledge, always willing to share a story, a reflection, a bit of history, or a thoughtful insight.

Her talents were as varied as they were remarkable. A gifted pianist, she filled homes and venues, including the historic Brown Palace, with music that lingered long after the final note faded.

She designed and cultivated her expansive gardens from raw soil, coaxing them into beauty with patience, joy, and an artist’s eye. In the mid-1990s, her garden (including a daylily which is named for her – “Sheila’s Choice”) was featured on a national daylily tour where visitors were awed by the garden’s color, design, and quiet beauty. For years, she practiced Sogetsu Ikebana, a form of Japanese flower arranging.

Her creativity extended far beyond the garden. As the owner of her own graphic design business, she brought clarity, interesting design, and intention to every project she touched. As a painter, she captured light and the subtleties of the world around her with a gentle confidence that revealed how deeply she observed life.

She was a skilled and avid tennis player, and she especially enjoyed serving as a line judge for the major tournaments that came through town. She loved following the sport just as passionately from home, often staying up through the night to watch the Australian Open and cheer on her favorite players.

She gave 110% to everything she touched, diving in with an enthusiasm and determination that inspired everyone around her.

Above all, she was a wonderful mother—steadfast, nurturing, and profoundly loving. Her children were the center of her world, and she guided them with wisdom, love, and unwavering devotion.

She was a dear and devoted friend and relative, offering warmth, loyalty, and loving support to all who were fortunate enough to be part of her life.

She leaves behind a legacy of creativity, curiosity, intelligence, and compassion. Those who knew her will remember not only what she did, but how she made them feel: seen, supported, and deeply loved.

Her absence is immeasurable, but so is the gift of having known her. She will be greatly missed and forever loved by family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.