Sheila Bock

Madison - Sheila Carolyn Dean Bock, age 84, of Madison, Wisconsin, died Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at University of Wisconsin Hospital. She was born May 26, 1933 in Rochester, New York, the daughter of Vance Owen Dean and Marie Rapp Dean. She married Robert H. Bock in the fall of 1979 at the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ in Madison.

Sheila, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to so many, lived a life full of love that was marked by friendships that often spanned decades, a family that crisscrossed the nation, and a wonderful marriage to Robert Bock. Together, they shared nearly forty years of love and affection for each other and for their many pets, laughter, trips around the world, and countless Badger games.

Sheila had two beautiful daughters with her former husband, Mitchell Smith. She was a working mother in a time when it was the exception and not the norm, and she raised two kind, intelligent, and strong women while balancing commercial and residential property management, phone calls and appointments, timesheets and any problem that needed solving.

She was a talented artist who dabbled in drawing and watercolor, sewing, embroidery and cross stich, but whose artistry and craft truly shone in her knitwork. Some of the best clothes her family has ever worn were hand-knit by her deft and determined fingers.

Sheila was also a hostess and cook that made every gathering seem effortless and elegant. So much of her kindness and affection shone though prepared meals, events, and holiday and celebratory dinners. So strong was this thread of her spirit that her daughter Tierney has a catering and event planning background, and her grandson Joe is a chef and restaurant manager, as they both work to ensure that every gathering can be as seamless and lively as a Bock Christmas dinner. The rest of her children and grandchildren are pretty good behind a stove, but have a long way to go before they can match her skill.

Sheila was a lifelong Badgers fan and enjoyed attending basketball and football games, but was especially elated any time she could go to a Badgers hockey game. She was a Packers' fan for years, and counted Reggie White and his family among her many friends. She has a cherished autographed photo of Brett Favre. When Favre moved on, so did she, and she has since been an avid Seahawks fan, but mostly a Russell Wilson fan.

She is survived by her husband, Robert H. Bock of Madison; her daughters, Tracy Smith of Madison, Tierney Smith-Sharif of Chicago; her stepchildren, Mark Bock and family, Andy Bock and family, and Natalie Erdman and family; her grandchildren, Charlotte Sucik, Joe Sucik, Alex Sharif, and Mark Jr., Bob, James, Annie, Billy, Kelly, Martha and Sawyer Bock; and a great grandson, Lewis Falkstrom.

Services will be held on Monday, January 15, 2018 at Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, with a visitation at 10:30 and a service at 11:30, and a lunch and ice cream social to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Sheila's favorite charity, the Dane County Humane Society.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434