Sheilagh Marlene Nowacki danced into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 with her loving husband by her side. She was 74 years old.

Sheilagh was born to Louis R. Porto and Dorothy L. (Gardner) Porto on September 12, 1947 in Greenville, South Carolina. A few years later the family moved to New York, and when she was nine they settled in eastern Pennsylvania on a dairy farm. As a child, Sheilagh loved to help her dad in the fields, play with the farm animals and read books.

After completing nurses training, Sheilagh moved to Indiana to attend Goshen College. She met her husband Dean T. Nowacki in 1970 at an off campus praise and worship group, and they were married on August 7, 1971. The couple went on to have two children; a daughter, Lisa and a son, Joel. In 1980 they relocated to Indianapolis for Sheilagh to have a kidney transplant. Upon recovering, she resumed her career as an RN working on the transplant unit at Methodist hospital until her retirement. In 1988 a second transplant was needed. 

Music was always a big part of her life. She was a member of a traveling chorus, various small singing groups and she sang on the worship team at her church for many years. In the early 70's she wrote a song that was featured on an album and published in hymnals and songbooks all over the world. She was classically trained in opera, and played piano and guitar. But her favorite musical memories were of singing duets with her dad. 

Throughout her life, she held an unwavering faith in God and spent countless hours in intercession for many people. She was a true prayer warrior and a woman of quiet strength even in the face of much suffering. Although her health deteriorated significantly in recent years, Sheilagh didn't complain about the dialysis, loss of mobility or constant pain. She enjoyed watching movies with her husband, knitting, coloring and reading.

Sheilagh joins her parents and son-in-law Steve in Heaven. She is survived by husband Dean, siblings John Porto (Faith) and Mary Sparr (Barry), daughter Lisa Douglas, son Joel Nowacki (Kellie) and five grandchildren; Ellie, Kole, Avery, Ezra and Amara.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ."  2 Corinthians 1:3-5

"The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation." ~ Corrie Ten Boom

A Celebration of Life will be held at Cross Church on Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 4:00. 

Location: 4540 Madison Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227

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