Mary Sheldon

In loving memory of Mary Sheldon, May 17, 1928-August 6, 2023.

Mary Sheldon was born in Rumchen, East Prussia (now Lithuania). When the Russians invaded Lithuania, she was separated from her family and fled to East Berlin. She knocked on a stranger’s door, begging them to take her in. After the war, with the help of the Red Cross, she emigrated to Montreal, Canada to start a new life. She would not see her family again until the Iron Curtain was lifted.

While working as a server at a Montréal restaurant, she met Robert Sheldon, a bank manager. Their courtship was fast, and despite Mary not knowing much English, they quickly fell in love, marrying six months later. Together they had three daughters, Susan, Vivian, and Deborah. They left Canada, after the French takeover of Quebec and eventually settled in Tucson, Arizona.

Mary had the soul of an entrepreneur and opened Bobo’s Restaurant with nothing more than a frying pan. Soon, the lines grew out the door, as everyone came to eat her delicious home cooking. After Robert unexpectedly died, Mary sold the restaurant. It is still open today, 40 years later, and still serves her recipes.

In retirement, Mary traveled to see family in Europe, gardened, and went out with her friends who called her the “go-go” girl because she was always on the go. At age 90, she moved to Woodinville, Washington to live with her daughter, Deborah. Together she and her daughter, Deborah traveled, shopped, and enjoyed their “Golden Girls” time together. Mary said, “I may have had a hard life, but at least I’m ending it good.”

Mary was incredibly loving, resilient, fiercely independent, giving, generous, funny, smart, hardworking, a bit stubborn, and had the ability to light up a room.

Mary had many medical struggles, including several surgeries and a major stroke, but she always fought to live life to the fullest. In the end, the medical issues and pain were too much, and it was time for her to go “home.”

Mary is survived by Susan, Bill, and Chelsea Nolen. Deborah, Matt, Christina, and Doug Balint. Ashly and Hailey Rath, Brittany Wagus, Helmutas Paulauskas, Ruth Melzig, Erika Meiliene, and her many friends, all who love and miss her.