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Harlow Sheidley Obituary
Harlow W. Sheidley
December 18, 1941 - January 26, 2018
Harlow W. Sheidley, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2018, in Colorado Springs, Colorado after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
Harlow was born in San Francisco, California on December 18, 1941, the last of three children to the late William and Eleanor Walker. She spent her early years in Ellensburg, Washington and Los Altos Hills, California. Harlow attended Stanford University and met her husband William Sheidley while studying at Stanford-in-France. They were married at Stanford in 1962. Harlow worked as a librarian in Palo Alto, California until 1966, when the couple moved to Storrs, Connecticut. After spending several years raising her two children, Harlow did graduate work in history at the University of Connecticut and received her Ph.D. in 1990. From 1992 until her retirement in 2009 she was a history professor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Her many scholarly works included a book entitled Sectional Nationalism: Massachusetts Conservative Leaders and the Transformation of America, 1815-1836.
Harlow will be remembered by family and friends as a passionate "political junkie" and an avid gardener and reader. Although she lived in New England for 26 years, Harlow always remained a Westerner at heart and delighted in the opportunity to root herself in Colorado during her later years. In addition to spending time with her beloved husband Bill, she loved mentoring her students, sharing meals and conversation with friends, and visiting with her children and grandchildren. These visits always included animated discussions at the dinner table, trips to the local places she loved (including the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Garden of the Gods) and sessions of squirrel-feeding and bat-watching on the deck.
Besides her husband of 55 years and her devoted friends, she leaves her daughter Jennifer Conklin (husband, Jeff) and her son Nathaniel Sheidley (wife, Beth), her brother Frank Walker, her sister Eleanor Willemsen, and four grandchildren, Abigail and Ethan Conklin and Ella and Benjamin Sheidley, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will take place on February 11 at 11:30 AM at the Upper Lodge on the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) campus, 25 Mountain Lion Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a contribution to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harlow Sheidley
Joan Ray
February 13, 2018
Dear Bill, Because I am no longer on the LAS email list nor a subscriber to The Gazette, I only learned today about Harlow's passing from my friend Sue Taylor. I have wonderful memories of her in Pendleton suits, which we both favored. She was an excellent teacher and scholar. And I know how much she loved you and your family. With sympathy, Joan Ray, Professor Emerita, UCCS
February 12, 2018
Our deepest sympathies Bill. We came to know you and Harlow over the last 4 years at Brookdale. The love you and Harlow shared was evident to all around you, the loving care you gave her daily and the look in her eyes as she said "I love you Bill". May God walk with you on this new journey. Randy and Sondra Nicholson (Lula Smith's daughter)
Jan and Ken Myers
February 11, 2018
Our deepest sympathy to Bill and all of Harlow's family. She was a remarkable woman: a brilliant historian, a generous and sympathetic colleague, a wonderful teacher, an excellent cook, a talented gardener, and a devoted and loving friend. It was a privilege to be part of her life.
Penny Moulton
February 9, 2018
To the family of Dr. Sheidley: so sorry for your loss. As a UCCS history graduate in the late 90's, Dr. Sheidley challenged me every minute of my degree and in every class I took. I so loved her passion and wisdom. Thoughts and prayers.
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February 8, 2018
I was a late in life college student at UCCS, and signed up for Professor Sheidley's class. On day one, she stood before the class, introduced herself, and nonchalantly announced to the entire class: "I don't give A's in my class. Needless to say, I was I stunned, as I had every intention of graduating summa cum laude. End of tale: I loved her class, her petite stature, and her challenge. I got an A in her class, and graduated summa cum laude. She will be missed. Janet Bassett
Karen Stetler
February 6, 2018
Dear Nat, Bill and Jenny and of course all the kids: We so wish we could be there to celebrate Harlow's life with you at the memorial service. Sending you our love. Karen, Ron, Riley and Sasha
Ruth Lambert
February 5, 2018
I met Harlow and Bill through their friendship with my daughter, Rebecca Laroche. I treasure the memories of delicious meals shared,lively conversation and a loving couple. Harlow is missed by all who knew her.
E M R / former student 1994
February 4, 2018
Professor Sheidley was one of my favorite instructors at UCCS! I took several of her courses, but developed a friendship with her during my Thesis writing. I would stop by her office and talk about everything! I was lucky enough to have her as an instructor and a friend. I was saddened to read that Alzheimer's was her fate! I learned a lot from her, and wish her family well
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