Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.
An obituary acts as a summary of a loved one’s life and legacy, but a standard summary would not be right for Sheila. She wouldn’t want a serious and sorrowful summary. Sheila would want it to be filled with flattery yet sprinkled with just enough truth to bring about a laugh at her expense.
Anyone that knew Sheila understands that she never took life too seriously, an idea she lived through and through – for better or worse. Life threw challenge after challenge at her, and she met each one with a laugh – and occasionally a few tears.
Sheila went by many names—Sheila, Mom, or Ooma, (and even once inmate 34472); no matter what she was called, the title was often followed by a sigh. Sheila’s sense of humor was eclipsed by nothing except her sheer stubbornness. She lived her life on her terms and her terms alone. That stubbornness tried the patience of (and possibly infected) every one of her loved ones and yet it is what sustained her past every medical expert’s predictions.
She appeared on the scene on August 12th 1952, to Margariet and Marvin Lanterman in Wellsville, NY. She grew up as a farm girl, running wild with her horde of siblings, Bob (Wendy) Lanterman, Glen (Carol) Lanterman, Annette VanDruff, Dick Lanterman and John Lanterman. It was during this time that her love of nature – particularly June bugs and mice – came to be. She went on to attend Dutchess community college and then Vassal Brother’s School of Nursing. She went on to work as Nurse and start what would become this massive group of weird and crazy people.
She shared her love of nature and caring for others with each and every one of her children; Rebecca (Nate) Flynn-Ames, Jessica (Kirk) Yeager-Flynn, Sarah (Eric) Yeager and Christopher (Marisa) Harris. Her children went on to multiply, gifting her with many grandchildren; Kelsea Flynn, Austin Ames, Cassidy Ames, Iyric Yeager-Flynn, Jareth Yeager-Flynn and Hunter Harris. She loved all of her children and grandchildren equally, although everyone was aware she had one favorite, she did her best to hide it.
Sheila also leaves behind many nieces and nephews; Stephen VanDruff, Keith (Dionne) VanDruff, Angel (Kevin) VanDruff-Pratt, Marissa (Emily) Lanterman, Abby (Kyle) Lanterman, Mike Lanterman, Daniel (Xiaofang) Lanterman, Kyle (Adrial )Lanterman.
Shelia is predeceased by her parents and her Husband, David G. Flynn. She leaves behind her second partner William Harris and his daughter Christie Corey and her children.
Sheila left this world on March 27th, 2023. She left gently after two months in hospice where she was surrounded by and able to reach out to family and friends old and new. Remaining true to her mission to not take life too seriously, she left as she lived – filled with love, strength, and a few too many inappropriate jokes.
May those who had the privilege of knowing her remember her for her kindness to every random stranger, selflessness in times of difficulty, resilience in the face of struggle, her grit and stubbornness and her absolutely infuriating ability to be late to absolutely everything.
Shelia leaves behind many loved ones, and lots of clutter but most importantly the lesson that you do not have to be perfect to leave a ripple, to affect a life for the better, to lift someone up, and to never give up. May the best of her live on in all of those whose lives she touched.
Sheila will be lovingly laid to rest next to her husband, David G. Flynn at St. Joachim Cemetery, in Beacon New York, at a date to be determined. In lieu of a funeral, as Sheila could not find a way to make everyone suitable late to the services as she had always dreamed, she elected for us to decide based on what we felt we needed. Sheila felt that her last months served as a celebration of life with her in attendance, and she felt no need for further services. The family has chosen to respect her wishes…although small private sessions to share cherished memories, grievances, and dirt will be held as needed.
I didn’t know Shelia all that well, we went to school together she was in my brother’s class ,but she was my step sister
I’m so glad I got to know Sheila. I will always remember the first time we met, in 1996. She was a firecracker from day one and I could see how much she loved Keith and all of the kids. Your whole family was fun and always laughing and smiling. We ate some of Marge’s peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes and I got to hear all the family gossip. May she rest in peace, joined with her husband again and I wish you all only happy memories.
I met Sheila as a young missionary. I love her. She was like a wonderful grandma to me. She is Home.
I met Sheila through a friend of mine, Regetta, who was her neighbor when she lived in Florida. We all went out to karaoke and she was a lot of fun. We will miss her alot.
To Sheila from Regetta ~ ” Ladybug Regetta misses Dagonfly Sheila”. Sheila would call Regetta Ladybug and Regetta would call her Dragonfly. Sheila told her that when she passes away, and a dragonfly comes by, to think of her… And Regetta did see a dragonfly hovering around her afterwards.
I met Sheila through a friend of mine, Regetta, who was her neighbor when she lived in Florida. We all went out to karaoke and she was a lot of fun to be with. We will miss her a lot just stupid we will miss her alot. TO SHEILA FROM REGETTA~”Ladybug Regetta misses Dragonfly Sheila”. Sheila would call Regetta Ladybug, and Regetta would call Sheila Dragonfly. Sheila told her that when she passes away, and a dragonfly comes by, to think of her…And Regetta did see a dragonfly hovering around her after Sheila passed away.