Sheelagh S. Carr

Sheelagh Stevens Carr died unexpectedly on January 29, 2025 at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Mequon, Wisconsin. The family is deeply saddened and shocked by her sudden passing. 

Sheelagh is survived and missed by her devoted husband of 56 years, Jack; her children: John (Rochelle), Mary Margaret (Scott), Mercy and Kate; grandchildren: Preston, Neelan, Niamh and Nora. She is predeceased by her only sibling, her beloved brother William Stevens. She will be forever cherished and remembered by her large extended family.

 Born to William and Kathleen Stevens in Pennsylvania on August 31, 1943, Sheelagh graduated from The Agnes Irwin School and briefly attended Swarthmore College before joining the US Army in 1962. She met Jack while they were both stationed in Indianapolis and joined him in Milwaukee shortly after her discharge in 1965. The two wed in 1968 and welcomed four children over the next 6 years. The couple moved to the historic Hamilton area of Cedarburg in 1969 where they were warmly welcomed by longtime Cedarburg residents Gene & Helen Schwalbe and other neighbors. The lifelong friendships continued after the Carrs moved to their current home on Center Street in 1973. Sheelagh brought her creativity and craftiness to this group’s civic mindedness, but she was also there for the hijinks. Anyone at the park for the 4th of July in the 1970s can bear witness. 

 When her children were older, Sheelagh pursued a career in health care. She worked at Columbia Hospital near UW-Milwaukee for many years, first as an x-ray tech and later as a radiology transcriptionist. 

Sheelagh loved to travel; she and Jack took many road trips to visit friends and family, and they were avid train travelers - traversing the country numerous times. They also traveled to Europe on several occasions, and shared their passion with their children and grandchildren, introducing the grandkids to the joys of train travel. One of Sheelagh’s boldest trips was to Kyrgyzstan for the wedding of her niece, Olivia Stevens, accompanied by her daughter Mary Margaret. While on that trip she also stopped in Istanbul where she visited the Hagia Sophia and Bucharest where she visited Dracula’s Castle. Whether the trip was a short ride to Illinois or a cruise in Alaska, Sheelagh would capture the memories for posterity in one of her beautiful and creatively designed photo books.

 When at home Sheelagh attended to her robust garden. If the weather was nice, she could almost always be found on their porch at the intersection of Center and St. John where she was always ready to hear a good story or share one laced with her signature feisty wit.‍ The corner is well known for community spirit and changing decorations, celebrating each season with flair and creativity.

 When indoors Sheelagh had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and took numerous online courses. She enjoyed hobbies including reading, knitting, drawing, painting and other artistic pursuits. One thing all her hobbies had in common was the enthusiasm she brought to them. A renewed interest in watercolors did not mean just a new palette and some paper - - it meant a number of books, new palettes and pens and a scrap book to keep track of her progress. 

 Jack and Sheelagh were true soul mates. As they enjoyed their retirement together you would never see one without the other, whether it was a trip to Costco or California. Sheelagh loved her family, her garden, all cats and a good story. She was smart, creative, funny and giving. She will be missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 12 Noon, at St. Francis Borgia South Catholic Church, N44W6055 Hamilton Rd., Cedarburg, WI 53012.  Following Mass a Celebration of Life will take place at the Cedarburg Cultural Center from 1-4 - - all are welcome..