Sheila Kavanagh Mandt

MANDT, Sheila Kavanagh, recently passed due to complications from COVID-19. The 55-year old was the wife of former Richmond City Council President and Northside District Three Representative, Chris Hilbert. Sheila was a loyal friend, doting aunt, thoughtful daughter, caring sister and loving spouse.

Born in New York City and raised in Michigan, Sheila moved to Richmond in 1995 with Chris and quickly became a very active member of the community as a strong advocate and fundraiser for a variety of victim's rights groups and nonprofit organizations. One of her signature projects was a collaboration with a number of abused women's shelters across the Commonwealth to create a handmade 150-foot by 10-foot quilt which contained messages of strength and unity from those who survived abuse. What started out as a simple idea quickly transformed into a powerful symbol of strength and self-reliance for women, that to this day, is on display in the lobby of the Commonwealth of Virginia's Attorney General's office.

Her late mother, Ann, a nurse and malpractice lawyer, was fond of saying, "Sheila's role in life has always been to help people in need." Whether it was raising money for the under-supported, working to help feed the homeless during the holidays or even going to animal shelters to rescue dogs, Sheila lived her life in service to others.

Her passion for giving was only matched by her love for entertaining. Sheila was the ultimate hostess. She was renowned for welcoming old friends as well as making new ones at the couple's first home on Seminary Avenue and then later, at their Ginter Place apartment.

Sheila's ultimate love in life was saved for her husband, Chris. Anyone who knew her understood how proud she was of his dedication to the people of the city she had come to adopt and adore. Richmond, Virginia remained Sheila's chosen home, both a place and community where she found as much love as she so generously gave.

Sheila Kavanagh Mandt was predeceased by her parents, Ann and Edward Mandt; and her sister, Maura Mandt. She is survived by her husband, Chris; and his sisters, Debbie (Mike) Beard and Sandra (Joel) McKinney; and brother, David Hilbert; and nieces, Melanie (Glen) and Shannon (Andy) Nelson. Additionally, her Mandt legacy lives on with her brothers, Neil and Michael; her sisters-in-law, Lauren and Diana; and her beautiful and most blessed nieces, Grace Ann and Charlotte Lynn Mandt.

A memorial service will be held on Sheila's birthday, November 3, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 815 E. Grace Street in downtown Richmond. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Richmond SPCA at 2519 Hermitage Road, Richmond, Va. 23220 or online at https://richmondspca.org.