Sandra H Sheild

Local artist and former art teacher Sandra H. Sheild of King George departed in peace at the age of 77 on Thursday, February 3, 2022 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.  

She was a life-long resident of King George, Virginia after wedding her high school sweetheart, Bill, in 1967. Sandra was born in Suffern, New York.  Her family moved often between New York, Virginia, and North Carolina.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Art Degree with a teaching certificate from High Point College in North Carolina.

As a new art teacher in King George, she traveled to the 3 county schools sharing her appreciation and love of art. In the spring of 1968, she spearheaded an integrated field trip of her High School students from King George and Ralph Bunche to Washington, DC.  She absolutely loved being a teacher whether it was a private tutor to students who wanted to learn pottery or being a substitute teacher when the opportunity arose. She even taught students from her home through the Art Mentorship Program here in King George.

She was also an awesome mom to four children.  She left teaching to become a full-time mother.  Sandra and Bill being good Catholics proceeded to have 4 children in five years.  This did not leave much time for herself, but she poured her life into her children growing up.  She would take them on walks in the springtime to listen to the peepers and collect pollywog eggs. Invariably one child (Nate!) would end up in a puddle. She set up a small aquarium in the back yard so everyone could watch them grow and then jump out into the world.  In the fall she would take the family on walks through the tall wildflowers in the back of the neighborhood.  She even helped collect bugs for her daughter Marye’s school project.

During the summers she did not want to hear “Mom, I’m bored”. A few chores quickly taught her children never to utter those words within earshot. She taught them how to fly kites, how to whistle and blow bubbles with chewing gum (then she would caution “Don’t do it around your father!”).

Sandra would take her kids to the library every Wednesday during the summer.  No limit was placed on the number of books checked because the expectation was everyone would read at least an hour each day before going swimming. Between the playground equipment, pool in the backyard, and weekly trips to the library and the river to go shark tooth hunting she kept her kids entertained and out of mischief (for the most part). “Don’t tell Mom!” were words to live by.

She enjoyed gardening and collecting orchids which was a hobby picked up by her son Richard. Being outdoors doing anything was almost as good as painting or whittling. She carried her carving box everywhere. What else are you going to do while waiting for four children to get their teeth cleaned?

She shared her art supplies and good drawing paper with her children. Carefully attempting to share her talents and letting them find their own way of doing things. For the most part the artistic gene seemed to emerge in very different ways through her children though her daughter Theresa seemed to have picked up the most talent.

During the school hours Sandra would sit at her table in the living room and create beautiful paintings.  Her mother moved from New York into the house next door and would babysit while Sandra took night classes at Mary Washington College.  She developed a love of carousel horses which she shared with her mother and the two of them traveled the country for several years going to carousel conventions and talking to other artists and carvers. This was probably born out of a constant request “Mom can we get a horse?”. Not wanting the responsibility of such a grandiose pet (though over the years many a pet was loved in her home too) she decided to make one.  Sandra made a life size pony name Daisy who was a rocking horse you could actually sit on and rock your troubles away.

For the next 15 years a new love was born and Sandra became a talented carver of carousel animals. Her original and often whimsical designs included a tall horse named The Tennessee Stud, Spirit of America, Daniel Deer and Guinivere the Giraffe. Her work was often carefully transported to local art shows and even a solo exhibit at Mary Washington College.  She dearly loved her craft and would talk to anyone about her creations.

Her artwork turned from paintings and sculpture to carousel animals and restoration artist.  She purchased and restored several carousel horses.  Sandra would carve new teeth, ears and legs, strip years of paint and uncover a beautiful new horse after months of work. It was amazing to sit and watch her work so effortlessly.  All the while telling a tale of the artist who first brought the work to life.  She meticulously researched each piece she restored to bring it back to it’s original glory. It was hard not to be completely impressed by her efforts and talents.

Sandra’s meticulous efforts and her strong commitment to the Sacred Heart Church in Dahlgren, Virginia lead her to a new passion of restoring church statues.

She also trained her little chihuahua Lucie as a therapy dog and spent a lot of time visiting the residents of Westmorland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.  Together with little Lucie, Sandra would read to the residents and play the organ.

Sandra had many talents and willingly shared her time with so many people young and old.  Eventually she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease which was a really tough blow having been diagnosed only 6 weeks after her own mother’s death from the disease.

She is preceded in death by her parents Richard Hollis Hutchins and Myrtle Hutchins Baisley and her brother Richard Douglas Hutchins.

Sandra is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Bill Sheild, her four children Theresa Hampton (Mike), Marye Byrd (Brian), Richard Sheild (Chris) and Nate Sheild (Chris) and seven grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Linda Irwin (Don) and her twin sister Sharon Rhyne.

Donations made be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in King George, Virginia or to the Alzheimer’s Society.

The family will receive guests at the visitation on Friday February 11 from 5pm to 8 pm at Storke Funeral Home in King George. Funeral services will be held at the same location at 11am on Saturday February 12^th to be immediately followed by a graveside service at Historyland Memorial Park. A celebration of life will follow in the reception hall of St. Anthony’s Church in King George Virginia from noon to 2pm.