Sheila Ann Mulvihill, age 84 of Washington, DC and Grand Rapids, died August 13, 2013 at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Washington DC from cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, James P. Mulvihill, Sr. and Norine Mulvihill; siblings, Jim Mulvihill, Ellen Mulvihill Templin, Kevin Mulvihill, and Dan Mulvihill. She is survived by her siblings, Maryrita Weiss of East Grand Rapids, MI, Jerry Mulvihill of South Bend, IN, Kyran Mulvihill of Grand Rapids, MI, and Larry Mulvihill of Spring Lake, MI; also many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews living throughout the United States. Sheila was a resident of Washington, DC since 1966, 47 years and a frequent summer resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her long career included a number of writer, editor and publisher positions. She held a Secret level security clearance. 1966-1968 (2 yr): Writer, Editor and Dissemination Officer, President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice. 1968-1969 (1 yr): Publisher and Editor, commission on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources. 1970-1981 (11 yr): Editor and Publisher, Executive Office of the President, Council on Environmental Quality. 1981-1985 (4 yr): Editorial consultant to organizations such as, United Nations Office of Development and Economic Cooperation, National Research Council Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems and Marine Board, The Urban Institute, World Resources Institute, U.S. Department of Energy, University of Maryland Department of Entomology. Born on May 25, 1929 in Grand Rapids, MI, she attended East Grand Rapids High School graduating in 1946 and went on to St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame 1946-1948, Michigan State University 1948-1950, and received her A.B. In 1955-1956 she attended the Catholic University of America and received her M.A. in Education. Sheila was an active member of St. Dominic Church in Washington, DC and St Stephen Parish in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 20 year volunteer at the Smithsonian Institution, volunteer usher at the Arena Stage. She believed in helping those in need, and practiced this every day from small gestures to the more significant. Sheila traveled as much as she could, visiting Europe with friends, Liberia for an editorial assignment, multiple trips to Ireland, Russia and Costa Rica. She also greatly enjoyed her time at the family cottage on Lake Michigan, walks on the beach and in the woods, or just sitting on the porch watching the hummingbirds. Visitation Saturday August 31 10-11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen Church, 750 Gladstone Drive S.E., Grand Rapids. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Paul A. Milanowski presiding. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider St. Stephens Education Foundation, 750 Gladstone Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.
