Sheila Stephenson

Sheila A. Stephenson, age 86, of Saranac Lake, NY, passed away on July 4, 2021 at the Alice Center in Malone, NY with family by her side.

Sheila was born on December 31, 1934 in Saranac Lake, NY to Lancelot Durward Longtemps and Ida Isabella Ann Shelhamer.

Sheila attended St. Bernard’s School and graduated from Saranac Lake High School. She attended North Country Community College and SUNY Plattsburgh as an adult student. She worked as a Ward Clerk at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake and as a Nurses Aide at Elderwood of Uihlein in Lake Placid, NY. A little known fact is when Sheila was a young woman, she worked at Santa’s Workshop in Wilmington, NY as “Little Bo Peep”!

Sheila was known for her smile and kindness. Everyone, who crossed paths with Sheila, loved her. She loved all animals but most importantly her beloved cats. She also cared for feral cats in her neighborhood. Sheila enjoyed walking, writing poetry, drawing, gardening, attending church and visiting with friends.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her cousin, Lisa Davis, of Potsdam, NY and Virginia Shelhamer of Saranac Lake, NY, who cared for Sheila in her later years and several other loving cousins.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday July 12, 2021 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Saranac Lake. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, you may consider a donation to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society, Saranac Lake Free Library or St. Bernard’s School. Family and friends can also share their condolences at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.