There are so many wonderful memories of Sheila over the years - from waiting at the Wilmington Train Station for her to arrive from NYC with her wheel of Brie cheese and cocktail pumpernickel loaf  - from that, Brie continues to be my favorite!  Having her indicate the meticulous measurements for pie making was something I do not carry on (!) - I am not as exact as she was but I appreciated the conversations we would have as we baked together since I was able to learn more about the family.  

Sheila's visits to Mexico brought me books in Spanish (that I still have today) and instilled in me a love for the Spanish language.  Because of that exposure, taking classes in high school and college made the transition easier when I went into the Peace Corps/Ecuador.  Sheila visited me there with my mom/her sister, Eleanor and what an adventure we had!  My all-time favorite memory of that trip was us in a SUV, me driving on a narrow dirt road high in the Andes Mountains. We were going the wrong way and I needed to turn around.  I saw a small area that might just have enough space to do so....but I was not certain.  I said to Sheila, my mom, and a friend - "You should get out."   ...thinking I might not make it and fall off the mountain.  Sheila calmly said, "We are not getting out of the car and you are going to turn it around."  It happened - just like she said.  

I loved our phone calls where we talked about books and PBS shows and her telling me even more about the family history.   And, I think, most importantly, I am a traveler because of her.  I was lucky to meet up with her in various areas of the country.  My last conversation with her while in Lake Charles, was about her favorite place that she visited in Northern India/Tibet. She spoke of the bus trip and the high, green mountains with many trees and seeing Mt. Everest.

Miss Sheila was such a kind human being. She was a wonderful addition to the Enterprise Club.  I was lucky enough to be in one of the mystery book clubs she hosted.

I remember it was great seeing Sheila visit for my sister’s college graduation. Sheila was always so supportive in what we pursued.
_

I will remember Sheila as one of the most kind, supportive, and adventurous people I have known. I always appreciated reading her letters and enjoyed hearing of her travels from around the world. She is truly someone to aspire to and we are blessed to have had her in our lives.

You all are in my thoughts.

Sincerely,
-Sean Belardo

Visitation

She was preceded in death by her parents, William John MacKay and Margaret Duncan MacKay, and two sisters, Eleanor Prillaman and Isabel Perinka.


Those left to cherish her memory are her sisters, Ann MacKay Eisen of Lake Charles and Margaret MacKay Belardo (Pre') of Newark, DE; nieces and nephews, Eric Eisen, Peter Eisen (Ashley), Bruce Eisen (Kristie), Barbara Prillaman (Francisco), Brenda Prillaman, Rob Perinka (Lisa), Christy Belardo and Sean Belardo; and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews.

OBITUARY

Sheila Margaret MacKay

December 12, 1937 – November 30, 2023

J. E. Hixson & Sons

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services