Sheila M. McPherson

Sheila (Shella) Martha McPherson, 71 yrs, of Tucson, died September 24, 2015 and has started her journey to the Rainbow Bridge to be reunited with her 4-legged “babies” Scruffy, Tiger, Whitby, Lily, and Zorro. Born in Franklin, PA on July 28, 1944, she and her family moved to Tucson in March 1955. She graduated from Amphi HS in 1962 and continued her studies at Eastern Arizona JC and Arizona State University with emphasis on Sports, Recreation and Health. Shella often said that the greatest influence on her career was her 1955-56 PE teacher Mildred Horn, L.M. Prince Elementary School, Tucson.

After college, Shella returned to Tucson and continued working at Sears Credit Department and then Union Bank of Tucson. On March 7, 1968, at St. Ann’s Maternity Hospital, Las Angeles, CA, she became the birth mother to daughter Julie Christine Barber who was adopted three weeks later by a loving family in the LA area.

Shella often said she was “married” to the Air Force. Her civilian career as Supervisor, Recreation Specialist, started in July 1968 at Davis-Monthan AFB as Community Center Program Director for four years. She then accepted an assignment to Bitburg AB, Germany as Youth Center Director followed by her promotion to Chief of Services, Prum AS, Germany. As her 5-year Germany tour ended in 1977, Shella returned to Davis – Monthan AFB for ten months. Her next assignment in 1978 was to Andrews AFB, MD as Community Center Director for 15 years and Outdoor Recreation Director for five years. During her time with Outdoor Recreation, she volunteered with the 4-H PETS Program (Progressive Equestrian Therapy), Upper Marlboro, MD and served on the Board of Directors. During initial orientation/training, she quickly learned one of the requirements expected of her was to learn English riding. Her first question was “Is there a western saddle available?”

Upon federal retirement in September 1999, Shella returned to her beloved Tucson and worked part-time as the Community Center Bingo Manager, Davis – Monthan AFB for three years.

Wishing to explore new volunteer activities, she donated thousands of hours to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Habitat for Humanity Tucson Women Build (nickname “Zippy”), Friends of the Pima County Public Library/Bray Building, and her Homeowners’ Association Board of Directors.

She was a member of Daughter’s of the Nile, Olana Temple 131, Tucson for 13 years.

Shella especially loved the oceans and tide pools, never tiring of wandering beaches and coves to explore for sea glass and shells of which she had a massive collection. She also made a memory quilt of her career and travels throughout the USA and Europe. She enjoyed reading, and completing Sudoku and Wordoku puzzles.

She is predeceased by her parents, Mackey and Trudy McPherson of Tucson, and nephew Larry W. Kittell Jr. She is survived by her sister Sydney R. Rogers of Sonoma, CA., beloved forever friend Brenda Paschall of Napa, CA and very special friends Glenda Leader and Nancy Ruhl of Tucson, and Ron & Sally Rabinowitz of Rochester, NY.

Shella has requested cremation through East Lawn Palms Mortuary with no funeral or memorial service. A Celebration of Life may be held at a later date. Her ashes will be scattered along the northern rugged coastline of Salt Point State Park, CA.

A castle on an island, the waves crashing on the shore, footprints in the sand, the moon covering the land. The sound of nature blowing in the air, walking in the water step by step, knowing I found my destiny. As my feet get wet, I look across the sea, knowing now I’m free – like the whales breaching. I feel at home by the sea, no more worries. Time has passed, I gave all my love, and aced life’s test. Now I’m home and can finally rest, the smells of the ocean are tears cried. I can enjoy them now as I walk with pride. My trials are over, now I can play because I loved so many. This is my time to run and feel free, become one with nature, and become engulfed by the sea.