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She had a remarkable ability to create beauty with her hands.

Sheila Jo Taylor, born December 25, 1952, in Cincinnati, Ohio, lived a life defined by service, determination, creativity, and commitment to her community. Sheila passed away on October 9, 2026, holding her daughter's hand.

As a child, Sheila was active in Girl Scouts, attended summer camps, and loved roller skating with her best friend, Robin. She fondly remembered the skates her mother bought with S&H Green Stamps from the grocery store. At Parkside, she participated in plays, crafts, and community activities and performed in The King and I. Her sense of humor remained intact when telling stories from her teenage years, including being kicked off the drill team after getting caught smoking while in uniform.

Sheila was never afraid of hard work. She began babysitting as a young girl for 25 cents an hour before becoming a carhop at Frisch's on Keowee Street. It remained one of her favorite jobs to talk about, and she often joked that "everybody who was anybody was a carhop." Sheila later worked in manufacturing, including several years at Mazer Corporation.

It was at Mazer that Sheila met Larry, the father of her daughter, Denise. Coworkers teased her about having a "rubberneck" because she would stretch to catch a glimpse of him whenever he walked by. During that chapter of her life, Sheila welcomed Denise and began a career dedicated to serving children and families. She worked at Daybreak, where she earned her social work license, then at Wee Haven before eventually opening her own daycare.

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When asked what she wanted people to think of when they thought of her, Sheila simply said, "Wildflowers."

Sheila's commitment to children and families extended beyond her work. She served three terms on the Dayton School Board, where she helped improve school food services and early childhood programs. She was also active in the Democratic Party and worked for the Clerk of Courts until retiring in 2020.

Sheila had a remarkable ability to create beauty with her hands. She loved gardening and took great pride in creating a butterfly garden that attracted butterflies and other pollinators. She enjoyed sewing, needlework, and finding new uses for ordinary materials. Whether making rugs, jewelry holders, or other creative projects, she rarely let anything go to waste if it could be repurposed.

Sheila was equally determined when it came to home improvement. After purchasing an older home, she tackled project after project, painting, removing carpet, refinishing hardwood floors, and tearing out wood paneling, often with the help of her sister, Jerrie. One of her favorite stories involved her dog walking across a freshly refinished floor. A devoted animal lover, Sheila shared her home with several rescue dogs over the years, specifically retired racing greyhounds.

Sheila's greatest pride was her daughter, Denise. She encouraged independence, perseverance, and kindness. One of Sheila's final gifts was making sure Denise knew how deeply she was loved, telling her, "I love you with all my heart."

Sheila will be remembered for her independence, determination, creativity, and sense of humor. She found happiness in tending her flowers, working on a new project, helping others, and sharing time with the people she loved.

Sheila is survived by her daughter, Denise; her lifelong friend, Larry; her sister, Jerrie; and many dear friends.

When asked what she wanted people to think of when they thought of her, Sheila simply said, "Wildflowers."