Sheila was born in Atlanta, Georgia on Valentine’s day 1961 but she made Saratoga, CA her home. She was the second daughter of Harry and Mary Quinlan. Father Harry, was a Nabisco Mechanical Engineer and WWII Vet. Mom Mary, was an air traffic controller and pilot. Sheila was the well-adjusted middle child of 3 siblings. Older sister Pamela loved her younger siblings dearly, but she still made them pay her their allowance. Younger brother Daniel was Sheila’s heart. She always protected and watched over him. Dad Harry would spend time with Sheila taking her on outings around the lakes and woods. Sheila loved to look at all the insects and was given the nickname, “The Bug.” She was very observant of nature and loved all its miraculous beauty and awe. Sheila loved playing outdoors.

Sheila was an excellent student, always brilliant and curious. In her senior year of high school, she made the bold move of signing up to be an exchange student in Wales living in a Welsh boarding school. She went on to Reed College in Oregon where she studied anthropology. She began taking classes focusing on social issues, class and race. Here is where her passion for social justice was born. In 1983, while at Reed she met the love of her life, John Robert Shannon. John was studying physics and electrical engineering. As John says upon their first meeting, “I liked her right away, it was just like that.” Sheila would look for reasons to bump into John. What gave it away to John is that during one conversation, she was blushing and he knew that she liked him too. John and Sheila eloped on Nov. 4, 1989 in Waukegan, Illinois. A bond that would last 40 years and produce their precious son, Roy Quinlan Shannon. Roy was born February 4, 2000. John cried tears of joy when he was born. Their beautiful baby boy meant everything to them and they built their whole world around him. She would want Roy to know that he was the most perfect and important thing in her life.

Upon John's graduation, they moved to Chicago where Sheila pursued her Ph.D. in Anthropology at the University of Chicago. Halfway through the program, she changed her mind, received a Master’s degree in Anthropology, and decided to pursue a law degree. She decided to dedicate her life to helping those who needed her most. Sheila attended law school at Northern Illinois University. After Graduating Law School 2nd in her class, Sheila and John moved to the Bay Area. John pursued a career in tech and Sheila interned at the San Francisco Public Defender's Office while studying for the bar. Sheila passed the CA Bar on her first attempt and set up her immigration law practice in 1996 in San Francisco. This is when the magic happened. Her practice grew, her reputation preceded her, and she achieved certified specialist status. Sheila has gone on to help thousands of hardworking immigrants, through her practice and even more by mentoring other attorneys. Immigrants who went on to achieve their American dreams because of her.

Sheila became an endurance athlete and took up long distance running, entering marathons and triathlons, enjoying many races despite occasionally passing out from pushing herself too hard. (The picture on the front of this program was taken in 2012 immediately after she had completed the Crawfishman Triathlon in Lafayette, Louisiana). She also had a very modest dart performance, playing darts until the end. One of Sheila’s most proudest athletic moments that she would like you all to know is that in 1999, while 5 months pregnant with Roy, Sheila hit, her first ever, double in the San Francisco "D" League Softball for the championship win.

She was tremendously proud when Roy got accepted to Reed College. Like Mother, like Son. (Dad played a small Alumni role too). She was even prouder when he graduated, Class of ‘22 - Go Griffins!

Sheila received her breast cancer diagnosis in 2016 and she refused to let this slow her down. She was determined to live her best life and continued running and biking, being the best mom she could possibly be and continuing her unwavering dedication in serving her clients. She approached everything she did with huge enthusiasm. She took on new hobbies determined to experience everything she could in life: candle making, gardening, bird watching, cooking, learning Hawaiian (when Spanish would have made more sense). She was planning a trip to the Negro Baseball Hall of Fame and the Gordon Parks Museum (famous African American photographer) but this did not happen for her. Cancer gained the upper hand and on Sunday, January 21 surrounded by her immediate loved ones Sheila left the material world and entered the spiritual one at peace. She fought to the end. We will miss her fighting spirit and brilliant intellect. She is very loved and will be deeply missed.

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