Shelia Lanahan

Shelia Sheldon Lanahan, 82, died August 13th at her home in Trappe, Maryland. Born in Hollywood, California in 1929 to Virginia Whittemore and Edward Hersey, Shelia was a child actress, playing many parts from radio commercials and WPA theatre productions to roles in three of director Preston Sturges’ films, including the Academy Award-winning The Great McGinty- which will be featured at this year’s Chesapeake Film Festival in Easton, Maryland in September. Much of her life was spent in Washington, D.C., where she moved at the age of fifteen to live with her aunt and uncle, General Edward Arthur Evans [who played poker with Harry Truman] and Nancy Evans. A graduate of Wilson High School, she was married twice. The first to John A. Nevius in 1950, ended in divorce. The second, in 1968, was to Samuel J. “Jack” Lanahan, the love of her life, with whom she moved to the Eastern Shore after his retirement, and by whom she was widowed in 1998. Active in the folk music scene in Washington in the 60’s, Shelia was also involved with various performing organizations, including Hexagon and the MS Show. With her husband Jack, she traveled extensively [often on their beloved QE II] during the 70’s and 80’s, living for a while in England, where Jack was the London partner for the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering. A member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Easton and the League of Women Voters, Shelia was a lifelong Democrat who, at the time of her death, supported dozens of organizations through her charitable donations. Her New Year’s parties at Boston Farm on Trappe Creek, featuring soft crabs and raw oysters, were legendary. Shelia loved her Eastern Shore home, vowing never to leave it unless it was “toes up!” She is survived by her children, Theodore A. Nevius and his wife, Noralee, of Washington, D.C. and Katherine S. Nevius, of Annapolis, MD; her cousin, Nancy Walker; best friends Bill and Clarissa Vowler of St. Michaels; Boston Farm caretakers for over 30 years, Bobby and Linda Elliott; as well as various granddogs. A memorial party is planned for autumn in Boston. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Easton – P.O. Box 1162, Easton, MD 21601.

Shelia Lanahan

January 17, 1929 - August 13, 2011