Sheila Dixon Leeds

Leeds—Sheila Dixon Leeds, 88, on July 8, 2022, following a stroke, at Foulkeways at Gwynedd, a Quaker retirement community in Gwynedd, Pa. Sheila was born on September 21, 1933, to Kingsley and Edith Hull Leeds, in Baltimore, Md. Sheila’s parents and grandparents were lifelong Friends. After Sheila’s father developed bipolar illness and was hospitalized, she was sent to boarding school on the Eastern Shore of Maryland at the age of ten. Two years later she transferred to Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., from which she graduated in 1952. Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., was next (class of 1956), then library school at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa.

Sheila spent 44 years working for the Brooklyn Public Library in New York City. She was sent to several branches where she told stories to groups of children, chose and ordered children’s books, and set up holiday displays, in addition to the usual library work.

She was a faithful member of Brooklyn (N.Y.) Meeting, where she served on the Library, Book Table, and Social Hour Committees, and was active in the Community Dinner. She took several European trips, visiting Britain, Italy, and the Scandinavian countries, as well as Canada’s Gaspé Peninsula region.

Sheila moved to Foulkeways in 2010. Always ready to offer assistance, and having a lively awareness of poverty and hunger, she donated generously to several helping organizations, as well as to libraries. She was cheerful company who enjoyed exploring many corners of New York City, either alone or with family. Sheila had an extensive knowledge of the good places to visit and of the subway system.

Sheila is survived by her sister, Judith Inskeep (Ronald); two nieces and nephews; and a grandniece and grandnephew.