Sheila Marcia Spelman

Sheila Marcia Spelman, known as Chi-Chi to her family, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026. Sheila lived in Onancock, VA.

She was born in Scranton on July 21, 1938 the daughter of the late William and Florence Dinner Spelman. She grew up in the Hill Section and graduated from Scranton Central, she received an RN from the Albert Einstein school of Nursing, Philadelphia, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Columbia University, NY, NY and a Master’s Degree in Public Health Nursing from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She had a long illustrious career in public health and public health nursing. She worked for the United States Public Health Service in Washington DC, the Indian Health Service on the Papago Indian Reservation in Arizona, and for 30 years for the Virginia Department of Health, retiring as the director of public health nursing. During her career, she developed and implemented many innovative and creative programs.

Sheila was a true “mensch”, a bright, caring, compassionate woman with an incredible dry sense of humor. She loved traveling and was proud to have been to Europe, Australia and 48 of the states, including Hawaii and Alaska. She enjoyed reading, gardening, music, Family Feud, Jeopardy, and never missed an episode of Finding Your Roots.

Sheila’s legacy is one of perseverance, love and unwavering support for those that she cared about. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Staci Dene Spelman and her sister, Pamela Spelman Tigrett.

She is survived by her sister, Deirdre “Cookie” Spelman, Scranton, her nephew Shawn Tigrett, Scranton, her granddaughter, Emily Spelman-Moore and husband, Chris, Virginia Beach, VA, her great-grandson Joshua Bradshaw, Virginia Beach, VA, her grandson, Hunter Weaver, Onancock, VA, great-granddaughter, Yvonnie Weaver, Florida, cousins Dr. Jackie Bashkoff, Albany, NY, Dr. Mark and Andrea Dinner, Sugarloaf, PA and Atty. Gary and Dr. Sherry Dinner Cleveland, Ohio.

Her family would like to thank the exceptional CNAs, nurses, and staff on Unit 33 of St. Mary’s Villa in Elmhurst for the caring, personalized, and compassionate care they provided Sheila. 

Memorial donations can be made to Jewish Family Service of NEPA, 601 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, PA 18510, or to the Eastern Shore Railway Museum, 18468 Dunne Ave., Parksley, VA, 23421.