Sheila Maureen Siebert

Sheila Maureen Siebert, age 83, passed away on September 10, 2022 in Bellingham, WA. She was born April 28, 1939 in Everett, WA to Philip and Mary Beeman Siebert. At age two her parents divorced and she went to live with her grandmother, Mary Beeman, who raised her with the help of her two uncles, Raymond Beeman and Philip Toner.

Sheila graduated from Assumption School and Bellingham High School. She earned her nursing diploma from Saint Joseph School of Nursing in 1960. She received her B.S. in nursing from the University of Washington in 1962 and her M.S. degree in nursing from Montana State University in 1972. She was a lifelong learner. In her early career she worked as a surgical nurse at the University of Washington Hospital, a public health nurse and school nurse for the Snohomish Health Department. She taught nursing at Skagit Valley College for 37 years and was very instrumental in establishing the associate degree nursing program at Skagit. She often stated that teaching students to be good nurses was her dream job.

She loved helping people, especially those who were disadvantaged. She sponsored several families from Poland and Ukraine. She loved helping the immigrant families adjust to life in America. She often told the new immigrants that there is nothing free in America. She helped establish the first hospice program in Bellingham and worked part time as a hospice nurse and visiting nurse. She was very active in Sacred Heart Church for many years. She volunteered for St. Vincent de Paul, and was on the floral and ground committee. She was also active in Health Ministries at the church as a Homebound Minister, bringing holy communion to the homebound. She was a 50-year member of Catholic Daughters. She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, making cookies for bake sales and funeral receptions. She donated many Easter and Christmas dresses for girls to Hope House and children in the Prepares Program.

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandmother, Mary Beeman, her parents Philip and Mary Siebert, and her two favorite uncles, Raymond Beeman and Philip Toner.

She is survived by her adopted family, Mietek and Lucja Wazny, their son and daughter-in-law and grandchildren, her close cousin Steve Beeman, his wife Joan Beeman and their son Joseph Beeman.

A Vigil Service will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Bellingham on Wed. Sept. 21st at 6 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church on Thurs. Sept. 22nd at 11:00am followed by a reception, then a Committal Service at Bayview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, c/o Sacred Heart Church, 1110 14th St. Bellingham, WA.