Sheila Ganch

Sheila Ganch

In the Jewish religion, when a loved one passes, we say, "May her memory be a blessing." Sheila Rae Ganch, 78, peacefully breathed her last on December 29, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. So many of us remember her with so much love, respect, and admiration, that those blessings will be without end and without measure. Sheila was the most vibrant, active, engaged, and healthy senior that anyone could imagine. Just six days prior to her passing, she had a physical and was declared in perfect health. On the next day, Christmas Eve, a sudden brain hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm never allowed her to regain consciousness.

Sheila was so many things to so many people. She was a mother, a sister, and a wife. She was an artist, a cook, a world traveler, and she was a caretaker who ceaselessly gave of herself with generosity, compassion and empathy. She dearly loved her uncle Eddy, who was like a father to her for her whole life. When Uncle Eddy was in his last years, it was Sheila who watched over him and directed his care. She listened to Uncle Eddy's final musings, and it was Sheila who did all the legwork in turning his substantial bequest into a scholarship fund at Toledo University.

Sheila received her bachelor's degree in education at the Ohio State University. That's where she met her soulmate and aspiring medical student, David Ganch. They were married in 1963, and never spent more than a few days apart for the next fifty-seven years. David remembers being dazzled the first time he met this beautiful woman and knew from the first kiss that no one else in the world could ever make his heart sing the way she did.

Sheila spent many years of her adult life as a travel agent, and she and David traveled the world. She loved to cruise, and they saw ports all over the globe. If you've vacationed in Vietnam, Turkey, and Patagonia, you've been pretty much everywhere.

Sheila leaves behind a family who couldn't possibly have been prepared for such a sudden finale to a beautiful story. She raised two wonderful, caring, successful children, Steven and Lisa, who adored their mother. Lisa tells the story of sending her mother thank you cards on her own birthday, just to let Sheila know how grateful she was for giving her a life filled with unwavering love and support…which of course made Sheila chuckle. Sheila was so proud of them and all they accomplished, and they in turn were awed by Sheila's youthful energy and many triumphs. Lisa's husband, David Carroll; his daughters, Katie and Annie, and Steven's girlfriend, Terri, were just as much family to Sheila as her own flesh and blood. Sheila was generous with everything, but with nothing so much as her love.

Sheila had a degree in teaching, but that wasn't really her passion. She was a proud "tree hugger", feminist, and humanist, and she transformed ideas into forms…she was first and foremost a talented and successful artist. Her works can be seen in many Chicago buildings and in galleries all over America. Some of her amazing work can be viewed at sculpturebysheilaganch.com. Her close group of artistic friends will miss the gift of her collaboration and inspiration as much as anyone.

Sheila also leaves behind a brother, Ben Wendell, and I have the honor of composing this tribute. Sheila was my rock, the person I could always go to for help and advice for every day of my life. I will always remember her sitting with me in the "TV room" of our house in Toledo, patiently teaching me how to read before I even reached kindergarten. When I think of Sheila, I cannot help but think of food. She could turn any ingredients into a gourmet meal, and she happily stuffed me to bursting more times than I can ever count. She embraced my wife Meredith, and for that I will always be grateful.

Sheila was never religious or confident about what lies on the other side, but if there is a reward for being a lightworker on earth, she is surely in the loving arms of Uncle Eddy, her mother Florence, her grandmother Ida, and David's late parents, Manny and Virginia. She's probably walking with Quincy and Layla, her recently departed and beloved "grand-dogs" who loved Sheila just as much as people did.

Sheila would have accepted her fate gracefully, but I'm sure that she'd be sad that she didn't have the chance for one last hug with the people she so dearly loved. If Sheila could offer one last bit of advice, here's what I think she'd say, "Hug the people you love, and tell them 'I love you' every chance you get, because life is fragile, and tomorrow is promised to no one."

The family will be announcing a celebration of her life that will be scheduled later in 2021 when it is safe for all of us to be together again. Donations in her honor can be made to Feeding America by visiting Sheila's Facebook page.