Sheila J. Slimmer

Sheila J. Slimmer passed away peacefully at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, on June 4th, at the age of 78. She was born in 1947 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to the late John B. Reitz and Lillian M. (Stiffler) Reitz. She graduated from the Reading Hospital School of Nursing in 1968. She worked as a registered nurse at The Reading Hospital and Medical Center for several years. She then attended Albright College and graduated cum laude with a degree in Sociology in 1975. Following this, she worked at Reading Rehabilitation Hospital as a social worker. She then turned her focus to raising her children. During this time, she volunteered her time and dedicated it to community service. She was the secretary on Berks County Board of Assistance, served as chairperson of numerous committees at the Junior League of Reading, and was the vice-president of the Hamburg Center board. She served as president of the Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic hospital auxiliary and was a board member on the Pennsylvania Association of Hospital Auxiliaries, as well as being a member of the Schuylkill County Medical Society Auxiliary. She also served as the president of the St. Ambrose School parent council. One of the things she enjoyed the most and was very proud of was her time working as the Director of Development at Nativity B.V.M. High School and the St. Joseph's Center in Pottsville. Through engagement amongst the community, fund raising, grant writing, and student recruitment, she helped to boost the enrollment and fulfill the mission of both institutions. Later in life, she returned to her nursing roots and served as a school nurse for several school districts in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. She enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to see many places around the world over the years. She also enjoyed making silk flower arrangements. Most of all, she enjoyed the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren. She is survived by a companion, Richard Ahrens, her son Samuel J. Slimmer and daughter-in-law Kelly (Miller) Slimmer and their children Kenna, Tanner, and Ellianna. She is also survived by her daughter Lara M. Slimmer and her daughter Eily. A viewing will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Friday June 20th, at Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, 3121 Kutztown Road, Reading, PA 19605. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00AM.. Interment will be in Maidencreek Cemetery, Main Street, Blandon. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Guardian Angels Church, the Humane Society of Pennsylvania (humanepa.org/donate), or the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org).