Shaila VanSickle Obituary

Shaila Valentine Van Sickle was born June 8, 1934 in Paris, France to American parents John and Louise Van Sickle and died in Grand Junction, CO, September 24, 2025.

Shaila grew up in Bronxville, NY, Nashville, TN and Crawfordsville, IN, eventually settling in Colorado.

Her parents were educators and Shaila followed in their footsteps, graduating from Carleton College in 1956, Occidental College in 1959, receiving her PhD from University of Denver in 1975 and becoming an English professor. After 25 years teaching at Fort Lewis College in Durango she retired in 2000. While there, she served as chair of her department, chair of the faculty, wrote handbooks for composition and linguistics courses, and developed- with her dear friend and colleague Doreen- a federally funded integrated-learning program for freshmen. Shaila received the Alice Admire Outstanding Teacher Award in 1984. She was a friend and inspiration to many students long past her tenure.

Fond memories included summer camp in Tennessee, yearly reunions with her Carleton College roommates, houseboat trips to Lake Powell with Durango friends, taking up tennis in her 50s, and frequent swims at Trimble Lane. Whether mountains, ocean, or anything in between Shaila loved a beautiful view. She was a life-long Scrabble and bridge player, denying any competitive nature, but we all knew better.

Shaila was predeceased by son Schuyler, and her loving husband of 31 years John Sanders. She is survived by daughter Laura and son-in-law Eric; stepson Jim and daughter-in-law Sabrina; stepdaughter Sue; three step-grandchildren; brother Jerry and sister-in-law Marty; sister Trish; and nieces and nephews Mike and Jill, Faith, Louise and Chris, and John, and their families.

Shaila felt fortunate for her friends, of which she had many, her family, and her work. Her welcoming, positive, sunny character will be missed by all who knew her. Reading, swimming, enjoying the Southwest- occasionally as a walker but more often like Ferdinand the Bull who wanted to sit and smell the flowers- meeting, talking, and laughing with family and friends made for a good, full life.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date.