Mrs. Sheila M. Spelman, MSN, of Onancock, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026, in Elmhurst, Pa. She was born and grew up in Scranton, Pa.
Sheila earned her registered nurse qualification from the Albert Einstein School of Nursing in Philadelphia, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Columbia University in New York City, and a master’s degree in public health nursing from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
She had a long, illustrious career in public health and public health nursing. She worked for the United States Public Health Service in Washington, D.C., the Indian Health Service on the Papago Indian Reservation in Arizona, and for 30 years for the Virginia Department of Health, retiring as the director of public health nursing. During her career, she developed and implemented many innovative and creative programs.
Sheila was a true “mensch” — a bright, caring, and compassionate woman with an incredible dry sense of humor. She loved traveling and was proud to have been to Europe, Australia and 48 of the states, including Hawaii and Alaska. She enjoyed reading, gardening, music, “Family Feud,” and “Jeopardy,” and she never missed an episode of “Finding Your Roots.”
Sheila’s legacy is one of perseverance, love, and unwavering support for those she cared about.
She was predeceased by her parents, William and Florence Dinner Spelman; her beloved daughter, Staci Dene Spelman; and her sister, Pamela Spelman Tigrett.
She is survived by her sister, Deirdre Spelman, of Scranton; her nephew, Shawn Tigrett, of Scranton; her granddaughter, Emily Spelman–Moore and her husband, Chris, of Virginia Beach; her great-grandson, Joshua Bradshaw, of Virginia Beach; her grandson, Hunter Weaver, of Onancock; and her great- granddaughter, Yvonnie Weaver, of Florida.
Memorial donations can be made to Jewish Family Services NEPA, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18509 or to the Eastern Shore Railway Museum, 18468 Dunne Ave., Parksley, VA 23421.
Private arrangements are under the care of Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc., Scranton.
