Sheila Gallegos

Mrs. Sheila Gallegos of Chestertown, Maryland passed on Sunday, May 14, 2006 at her home. She was 63. Born on July 26, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan she was the daughter of the late Russell and Jean Sharp McLaughlin. Mrs. Gallegos received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Connecticut in 1964, her Master’s in operations research and computer systems from American University in 1969 and completed the coursework for her doctorate in computer science at the University of Maryland in 1971. Mrs. Gallegos began her career as a programmer, systems analyst, operating systems specialist and systems engineer. Early in her career in computer science, she was one of the first users of the internet on three Arpanet computers in the U.S. She held numerous management positions in both the private and public sector and taught computer science on the college level. Mrs. Gallegos went to work with the MITRE Corporation CAASD where she was responsible for coordinating several activities in support of the improvement of performance of the United States airspace system. Mrs. Gallegos organized the preparation and presentation of training programs for airspace performance improvements for CAASD staff. For her international clients she managed CAASD projects that addressed questions of airport site selection, capacity enhancements and landside operations automation. Her volunteer activities included production assistant for the Diane Rehm Show, docent at the Smithsonian Museum of Science and History, and serving as an usher at Wolftrap Park for the Performing Arts. She accompanied her husband Carl, a Foreign Service Officer, to Madagascar where she served two years on the Board of the American School of Antananarivo. She and her husband Carl were members of the Chester River Association and Schooner Sultana Shipmates. Her interests included sailing, gardening, needlework and beading. Mrs. Gallegos settled in Chestertown in 1999 after purchasing a weekend home and falling in love with the town and the area. In addition to her husband, Dr. Carl M. Gallegos, PhD., Mrs. Gallegos is survived by one daughter, Jocelyn LeRoy of Washington, DC, one step daughter, Kara Adrianne Walker Gallegos of Baltimore, Maryland, one brother Michael K. McLaughlin of Rockport, Texas and one sister, Terry McLaughlin of Austin, Texas. Services will be held at Friends Meeting House, 124 Philosophers Terrace, Chestertown on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society, Kent/Queen Anne Chapter, 92 Read’s Way, Suite 205, New Castle, Delaware 19720 or the Building Fund for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Chester River, 100 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, Maryland 21620.