Sheila Chaffee

Sheila M. Chaffee (McGoldrick), Madison, WI

Born April 10, 1937, Chicago, IL. Died May 30, 2013, Madison, WI. -- 76

Sheila was born in Chicago, IL, April 10, 1937 to Daniel McGoldrick and Elizabeth (Muir) McGoldrick. She died at Capital Lakes Health Center, Madison, on May 30, 2013, at age 76.

She is survived by her three children and their partners, Laura and David Friedrichs of Madison, Adam and Andrea Chaffee of rural Dane County, and Amy Chaffee and Larry Shaw of Sherman Oaks, CA; grandsons Calvin Chaffee of Whitewater, Colin Friedrichs and Harper Friedrichs (15) of Madison, Larry's children, Lindsay Shaw and Riley Shaw of Los Angeles, as well as her sister-in-law, Elaine Brooks (Rudy), Oakland, CA, many cousins, and the sisters of her heart, known as the Ladies Lunch group, all their friends and relations, children and grandchildren, who were the family she built here in Wisconsin, and friends and people she mentored, from childhood to the community she built at Capital Lakes, her home for the last decade.

She believed in building community and family. She became a member of every group she could find to make the world better, or if she didn't find one, she made one. Most particularly, she was a member of the Ladies' Lunch Group which celebrated all major holidays together and made up a few, to boot.

Her career achievements were numerous and great, including She was a women's dorm counselor, Girl's State representative, homecoming queen (2x), musician, student council member and class president, kindergarten teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, lobbyist, Anti-Vietnam war protestor, Alderperson on the Madison Common Council, budget analyst, TV host of "Access City Hall," volunteer and board member for many candidates, political debate moderator, member of Madison Urban Design Commission and Drug Commission, Girl Scout leader, grant writer, assistant to State Rep. Midge Miller, member of the League of Women Voters, lobbyist for Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, public policy analyst in Health Care Financing for the State of Wisconsin, a member of the Meriter Community Resident Assoc., friend and mentor.

Raised in Gardena, CA, Sheila graduated from Gardena High School. At University of Redlands, she was president of the Alpha Xi Omicron sorority, receiving a BA in Elementary Education. At 48, she attended the LaFollette Institute at the University of Wisconsin, receiving a Masters degree in Public Policy Administration.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel McGoldrick and Elizabeth (Muir) McGoldrick, both of Seal Beach, CA, and her godparents, Adam and Martha MacOuat of South Gate, CA. She was also preceded in death by her former husband, Steven Chaffee, of Santa Barbara, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made in Sheila's name to the Mann Educational Opportunity Fund, a scholarship and mentoring foundation, in honor of close friends, Bernie and Kathy Mann. To donate, please visit: www.mannfund.org .

A Memorial Celebration of Sheila's life will be held Friday, June 14, at 12 noon at the Great Hall in Capital Lakes, 333. W. Main Street, Madison, WI 53703. A party will be held at 3pm at the home Adam and Andrea Chaffee. For details, please contact Cress Family Funeral Services.