Patricia Lu Sheldon

Patricia Lu (Carter) Sheldon of Omaha, Nebraska, died April 5, 2022, surrounded by loved ones and ready to go home to be with Jesus. She was predeceased by her husband of more than 50 years, Laurence (Larry) Sheldon, and is survived by her sister Susan Carter; daughters Sandee Sheldon, Marjorie (Sheldon) Skowronski (Andrew), and Laura (Sheldon) McClanahan (Bryan); grandchildren Sydney and Jackson McClanahan; honorary grandchild, Bela Mason; two cats; and many nieces and nephews. A lifelong student, Pat graduated from the University of Maryland in 1962, where she made friends as a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority that remained close. She later graduated from San Jose Bible College in 1989, and then a handful of years later, earned a degree in paralegal studies. Pat completed an Education for Ministry program in 1996. Pat’s scholarship was driven by an innate desire to know and share the word of God. She used her deep knowledge of the Bible to teach others, and those who enjoyed her ministry were blessed by the depth of her knowledge and the breadth of her joy. Pat served St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Elkhorn, NE for more than 20 years after becoming an ordained deacon in 1997. “Deacon Pat” radiated joy and warmth, making friends everywhere she went. She had an ability to immediately connect with others, and she was effusively grateful and supportive of those around her. Pat served as a shining example of "they will know we are Christians by our love." After her retirement, she led church services and Bible study at Heritage Point Assisted Living where she lived. Throughout her life, Pat was a devoted wife, sister, and mother. When her girls were much younger, Pat was very involved in their lives, holding leadership positions in various PTAs, coaching softball teams, serving as a band booster, and shuttling the three girls to practices and games, where she was always one of the proudest and most effusive moms in the stands. She could be counted on to celebrate every victory no matter how small, and to provide a gentle hug and kind ear when things didn't go well. Until recent years, Pat was happiest in her yard, riding her lawn mower or planting or extricating plants. She attempted to instill in her daughters her passionate love of gardening and the outdoors (she succeeded only in the latter). Pat was the poster child for unconditional love. Pat’s home was always a safe haven for her children and the children of others. More than one of her daughters’ friends called her Mom. She was a gentle, loving presence for those who needed that in their lives. Her pets were adored. Her daughters were too, and they will forever feel the void she has left behind, even as they know that her light will continue to shine in all the people she touched throughout her life. There are a lot of adjectives you could use to describe Pat: joyful, loving, kind, goofy, enthusiastic, stubborn, supportive. But the word that most distills her essence is devoted. Pat was devoted. Devoted to her family, devoted to God and to ministry, devoted to her friends, devoted to learning, and devoted to her Maryland Terps and Nebraska Cornhuskers. Hers was a life of devotion that can serve as an example to all. A Memorial Celebration of Life will take place Friday, May 13, 2022, at 11 a.m., at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church in Elkhorn, NE. There will be private interment of her ashes in the columbarium at St. Augustine's immediately following the service, and a luncheon reception immediately following where guests will be encouraged to share stories and memories. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Augustine's Deacon Fund, or to the Breast Cancer Action of San Francisco, CA.

Patricia Lu Sheldon

May 15, 1940 - April 5, 2022