Margaret Anne Trowbridge Sheldon

Mason, MI

Overflowing with faith, hope, and love, Margaret (Dolly) enthusiastically lived life bringing joy to those around her with her positive outlook. A woman of deep Christian faith, she gave others grace by offering patience, understanding, compassion, and kindness through good times and struggle. She showed her love for her family and dedication to helping them every day.

At age 87, Margaret joined the Lord on January 16, 2026. Born on November 1, 1938, Margaret spent her early years in Grosse Pointe Farms, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven, Michigan. She was awarded a full scholarship to study fine art at Michigan State University. Welcome Week of 1956 (freshman year), Margaret met the love of her life Robert Charles Sheldon at Beaumont Tower. They married in August 1957. She attained her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with high honors and later followed with graduate studies and a teaching certificate, remaining a loyal Spartan throughout her life. She was an artist who blessed us with her creativity through many media including acrylic, oil, and watercolor painting; charcoal and ink drawing; sculpture; and with her career in pottery (owner of Sugarbush Pottery). Margaret was active in her community in her children’s youth, singing in Sweet Adelines, making costumes and stage sets for school plays, and developing arts and crafts curriculum for school and church children’s programs. She was an adventurer who loved the outdoors and spent many years enjoying Drummond Island, Michigan and traveling the wilderness of Alaska.

Margaret was preceded in death by Robert, her husband of 51 years; her parents Albert Hartsuff Trowbridge and Margaret Fuller Matheson Trowbridge Robinson; siblings Albert Matheson Trowbridge, Julia Jane Trowbridge, and Charles Walter Matheson Trowbridge. Margaret is survived by her sister Mary Elizabeth Trowbridge; her children, Robert Charles (Lauren) Sheldon, Jr., David Kevin Sheldon, and Anne Elizabeth Sheldon (Richard) Wentworth; grandchildren, William Joseph (Cheryl) Wentworth, Nicole Starr Wentworth (Nicholas) Rogers, Seth Monroe Sheldon, Lindsey Renee Sheldon (Asaf) Shemesh, and Mathew David Sheldon; and great-grandchildren Hallie Starr Wentworth, Tyler Joseph (Nahiara) Curtin, Logan Ryan Curtin, Jessica Mae Wentworth, Annabelle Rose Wentworth, Naomi Rose Shemesh, and Carmel David Shemesh.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sheldon residence. Those who wish may make contributions to the Wharton Center for Performing Arts in memory of Margaret. Contributions may be made online through give.msu.edu or by mail to Wharton Center, ATTN: Development Office, 750 E Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824.