Shiela Victoria Strudwick

Shiela Victoria Strudwick, a long-time resident of the Chesapeake area, died Wednesday the 7th of December surrounded by her beloved family.She was born in 1948 at Ft. Lee, Petersburg, Virginia, graduated from Duval High School in Glenn Dale Maryland in 1966 and attended Prince George Community College Shiela began her work career at the Smithsonian. After working there a short time, she spent the rest of her career supporting the U.S Government within the National Security Agency and the U.S. Navy. Most of her career was spent with Naval Housing Management. There she travelled and helped to ensure our nation's service members and their families had the quality in housing that they deserved. After well over 30 years of federal employment, she retired in early 2003. After her retirement, Shiela graciously became a daycare provider and preschool teacher for her grandson. This loving act of kindness not only provided him a solid foundation for his life, but also a very strong bond between them both. Shiela, Vickie to her family, was always willing to try something new. Growing up, she was always willing to prove that she could do anything her brother could do. She rode horses as a girl and motorcycles as a young mother. Later in life, she took up golfing and bowling and continued to become more and more proficient at both. During her retirement, Shiela followed her father's love of gardening and became a Master Gardener and then a member of The Backyard Gardeners local chapter. Sheila was passionate and knowledgeable about organic and eco-friendly living and was always there to help others learn about the importance of both. She was a quiet, direct, smart, graceful, and classy woman, often kidding to make a point. Shiela had many friends and loving family members and she will be missed greatly by all of them. Shiela was predeceased by her Mother, Elizabeth Jenkins.She is survived by her father, Edward Jenkins; her brother, David Jenkins and his wife, Jane Jenkins; her son, Jason Strudwick and his wife, Stephanie Strudwick; her grandson, Ryan Strudwick; her former husband, Jim Strudwick; and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations or memorial gifts be made to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens or the American Cancer Society. A gathering to celebrate Shiela's life will be held in Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel Saturday from 11:00 -12 noon. On-line condolences may be made at www.lovingfuneralhome.com

Shiela Victoria Strudwick

December 7, 2011