Family was the top priority in Sheila Vandall's life. She was utterly devoted to her husband, children and grandchildren. Even after her cancer diagnosis, she didn't yearn to travel or complete a bucket list; instead, she wanted to spend the time enjoying her family.
Sheila Vandall of Decatur died Tuesday at VistaCare Hospice after a three-year battle with uterine cancer. She was 69.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Miller-Ward Alumni House near Emory University. A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home in Decatur is in charge of arrangements
Ms. Vandall was born and raised in Verona, Pa., where she met her future husband, Frank Vandall, in the seventh grade. They married 11 years later and were wed for 46 years. Ms. Vandall graduated from Indiana University, and then after moving to Atlanta, she earned her master's degree from Emory University.
Frank Vandall described his wife as totally selfless and said she never used the word "I." While he loved to sail, she never really cared for it. "She did it just for me because I enjoyed it so much," Mr. Vandall said. "And she was really a great sailor who could spot the wind."
Mrs. Vandall was a teacher for much of her life, first in Indiana and Ohio and then later for more than 20 years at the Cliff Valley School in Decatur. She taught both preschool and kindergarten there and loved guiding children at such an early and critical age.
Her daughter, Megan S. Vandall, followed in her mother's footsteps and now teaches kindergarten in Cobb County. Ms. Vandall recalled that her mother had planned to retire several years ago but suddenly decided to stay on an extra year. "She gave me her entire paycheck from that last year," Ms. Vandall said, "so I could stay home another year with my children before returning to work." Ms. Vandall said her mother truly personified the theme from "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein.
Her son, Josh Vandall, said the world would be a better place if all mothers were like his. As a child, he was enthralled by G.I. Joes, and his mother would drive him from store to store to find exactly the one he wanted. "Holidays were always a big deal for her, too," he said. "She would decorate everything in sight." She believed the dining room table was the most important possession in your home, and every holiday or special event was meant to be celebrated with family.
Mrs. Vandall also served as co-president of the Emory University Woman's Club, which focuses on community service projects. The organization also raises money for scholarships to Emory, and one of its biggest fundraising events is an auction. Mrs. Vandall was renowned for creating what her daughter described as marvelously themed baskets. Ms. Vandall said her mother would hunt for old books and then assemble the baskets, which would sell for hundreds of dollars.
Her husband said she was sought after in organizations and committees because you could trust her to get things done.
"Nothing slipped through the cracks with Sheila in charge," he said, "and the family has talked about how God and the angels may need to slide over to let her organize things."
In addition to her husband and children, Mrs. Vandall is survived by three grandchildren.
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