Sheila Ostrow Flodberg (nee Sheila Fern Ostrow) died peacefully January 1, 2018, in St. Augustine, FL. She was 81, and until May 2017, had been a long-time resident of San Martin, CA. With her at the time of her death were her daughters Fran Charlson and Diane McQueen of St. Augustine as well as her cats, Gilligan and Murphy. She is also survived by her son Michael (Susan Austin) of Oakland, CA; son-in-law Harold Fethe; Shawn Tuomey, Diane's long-time partner; four grandchildren Doria, Meredith, Samuel and Benjamin Charlson; and her brother David Ostrow, M.D. (Lynne) of Dallas, Texas.
Born August 25, 1936, in Pittsburgh, PA, Sheila was the daughter of Harry and Mildred Ostrow. She grew up in Pittsburgh, and attended Taylor Allderdice High School. She graduated from Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh as a Registered Nurse, and earned her B.S.N. from Duquesne University. She later earned an M.S. in Counseling from Idaho State University and M.S. in Nursing from the University of Utah. She also became credentialed as a geriatric nurse practitioner and taught nursing at Boise State University for several years.
Sheila was married August 25, 1957 to Ben Charlson with whom she had her three children. Sheila later married William Flodberg, of San Martin, CA.
Sheila loved animals and volunteered for a variety of rescues and animal advocacy organizations. She was a member of Etz Chayim, Palo Alto, CA. She loved the outdoors-biking, swimming, hiking and was a member of the Sierra Club where she met her husband, Bill.
A memorial graveside service is planned for January 14, 2018 at 11 a.m., at the Hills of Eternity Cemetery in Colma, California. A Shivah Service will be held on January 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma St, Palo Alto, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Ayla's Acres No-Kill Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 1634, St. Augustine, Florida 32085.