Margaret Bess Sheldon

Margaret was born July 13, 1940, in Ronceverte, West Virginia, to Elsie (Snider) and Goodwin Taylor. She graduated from Lewisburg High School in 1958 and went on to study art at Westhampton College, the historic women’s liberal arts college within the University of Richmond in Virginia. Following her graduation in 1962, Margaret married Peter S. Kleinberg in Lewisburg, West Virginia. They had two children, David in 1965 and Molly in 1967, before Peter died in Vietnam on January 1, 1968.

Margaret married Robert “Bob” L. Sheldon on May 24, 1969, in Richmond, Virginia, and had a daughter, Mary Ann, in 1970. Margaret and Bob were married for 46 years until his passing on April 13, 2015.

As a devoted Army wife, Margaret moved her family from post to post as her husband was stationed across Germany and several states, including Missouri, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, Oregon, and Michigan, before settling in Yakima, Washington, in 1979. She became skilled at turning each new house into a warm and welcoming home.

Although she spent most of her later years on the West Coast, Margaret always carried her Southern roots with her. She was occasionally—and lovingly—teased for her Southern accent, which would slip out like molasses, stretching one-syllable words into something charming and lingering.

Margaret forged friendships easily and tended to them regularly. She was an avid letter-writer and later embraced text and email to stay connected with friends and family. She developed several cherished friendships with the wives of Bob’s fellow Yakima Gyro Club members. It was not unusual for her to be interrupted by a friend, either in person or by a phone call just wanting to check in.

She and Bob became familiar faces at the restaurants they frequented on their nearly weekly Saturday date nights, often knowing the staff by name. They enjoyed socializing and traveling, especially their annual February trips to Maui, where they built many close relationships with the staff and fellow guests at the Kaʻanapali Beach Hotel.

Margaret held a deep appreciation for history and the arts. She was involved with the Yakima Valley Museum, the Gilbert House, and Antique Club. In 1985, she began working for Heirloom Estate Sales and later became co-owner, continuing until her retirement in the early 2000s.

Margaret loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren fiercely. She possessed a deep reserve of patience and would happily play board games and indulge in make-believe when they were young. As they grew, she never failed to keep thoughtful interest in each of their lives.

Margaret is survived by her children, David (Joan) Sheldon of West Richland, Washington; Molly Breymeyer of Yakima, Washington; and Mary Ann Sheldon of Issaquah, Washington; her grandchildren, Melissa (Nick) Eshleman, Joshua (Jenna) Sheldon, Natalie Breymeyer and her fiancé, McKai Morgan, and Ethan Breymeyer; her great-granddaughters, Lily and Grace Sheldon; her sister, Ann (John) Warren; her sister-in-law, Mary Kay (Norm) Burmeister; her cousins, Tom (Linda) Snider and Wally Snider; and extended family, nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Fieldstone Orchard West and HopeBridge Home Care for the compassionate and attentive care they provided during Margaret’s final months.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 6 at 1:00 p.m. at Keith and Keith Terrace Heights Memorial Center (2807 Terrace Heights Dr). In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Yakima Valley Museum. Memories and condolences may be shared at on this website.