Sheila Katherine Kirby

Sheila Katherine Kirby, 85, passed away August 10th, 2024 at her home in Mesa, AZ. Sheila was born in Rapid City, South Dakota to Maurice and Mabel Jones Lodge. She grew up in Sheridan, WY and graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman with a degree in Education. She taught in Germany for the Department of Defense, Las Vegas, NV, and Casper, WY.

Sheila enjoyed a successful career as a gifted teacher, with an extraordinary capacity to love children, believe in them, and bring out their very best. Her classrooms were places of joy, achievement, understanding, patience, kindness, and above all, love.

Sheila married Jim in 1967 and they had one daughter. Our family enjoyed skiing together on Casper Mountain and taking trips to Denver. Sheila was a dedicated, patient and loving mother and grandmother. She could always be counted on to dry tears, heal broken hearts and fill our souls with her boundless love and generosity.

Sheila was a creative person who could find beauty at every turn. She was constantly sketching and bringing memories to life with her detailed imagination and talented eye.

She was an accomplished watercolor artist, and many friends and family are blessed to have her artwork in our homes.

Sheila was always up for an adventure and made the most of her retirement in Arizona. Sheila enjoyed playing golf and duplicate bridge, travelling and painting. Each morning’s sunrise over Superstition Mountain inspired her to find joy in the new day.

Sheila’s family will remember her as an exceptional woman who did her best to live fully despite any limitations, love with an open heart, and see the very best in others. She is dearly missed.

Sheila was preceded in death by her husband, Jim and her sister, Jane Kidneigh Medved. She is survived by her sister Suzanne Stewart, daughter Susan, son-in-law Chip and her three beloved grandchildren, Kelly (Tyler), Kevin, and Scott. At the time of her death, she was awaiting the birth of her first great-grandchild, Walker. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, all of whom had a special place in her heart.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am on June 7, 2025 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church at 604 S. Center Street in Casper. All are welcome.

Our family appreciates you sharing stories or interesting details from Sheila’s life, especially if you were one of her students.