Sheila B. Ostrowski Obituary (1929 - 2024)

Cecilia "Sheila" Bernadette (nee Harvey) Ostrowski (age 95) died peacefully, after a short illness, on March 22nd, 2024, surrounded by her four children. Sheila was born February 11, 1929 and raised in Seattle. She is preceded in death by her husband, Prosper; younger brother, Bernie (Patricia) Harvey; older sisters, Ann (Martin) Lynch and Mary Harvey; and older brothers, Ed (Grace) Harvey and Jack Harvey. Sheila is survived by her children John Ostrowski, Tacoma WA; Matthew (Lynn) Ostrowski, Port Angeles WA; Annya Dethman, Meridian ID; and Nicole Ostrowski (Dawn), Petaluma CA; as well as three grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and cousins who loved her fiercely. After graduating from Immaculate High School in Seattle, she and her sister Ann both attended and graduated from, the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota. She received a bachelor of arts degree in Biology and English. She started her teaching career in Seattle, WA at St. Joseph School and met Prosper, a WWII Veteran, who was attending the University of Washington School of Forestry. They were married on June 19, 1954 in Seattle at Christ the King Catholic Church. Sheila and Prosper moved to Hoquiam WA, where she continued teaching and ultimately finished her teaching career in Port Angeles WA. Prosper and Sheila enjoyed 49 wonderful years together before his passing in 2002. Sheila and Prosper began raising their 4 children in Aberdeen, WA but subsequently relocated to Port Angeles WA in 1976. Throughout Sheila's 6+ decades of teaching she was known and beloved by many students at the Port Angeles High School as "Mrs. O". Having this very distinctive title as an educator, she was frequently recognized and greeted by many previous students! She was known for her quick wit, kindness, respect, and sunny disposition toward everyone. You could always count on a warm smile and chipper hello if you ran into her. Devoutly unwavering in her Catholic faith, she touched so many lives in numerous ways. She will be missed by more people than we could possibly mention here, though we would be remiss if we did not mention her "posse," which had consisted of Rose Crumb, Margie Ferris, and Kathleen Kennedy. A private Graveside Service will be held at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Seattle, WA where Sheila will be laid to rest next to her loving husband and near her siblings and parents. A Celebration of Life will follow in the summer of 2024 in Port Angeles. In lieu of flowers, the Ostrowski family requests any donations be made to the Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County.