Sheila M. Nary Bach

Bach—Sheila M. Nary Bach, 88, on December 11, 2024, peacefully, at home in McCall, Idaho. Sheila was born on October 3, 1936, to Frank Nary and Sybil Jenney in South China, Maine. She was a lifelong Quaker whose roots ran deep. Her mother was a cousin of Rufus Jones, known to Sheila as “Cousin Rufus.” In 1966, when Sheila applied for membership at Friends Meeting of Washington (D.C.), she wrote, “I have always thought of myself as a Friend from birth and have tried to live up to Friends’ standards in my daily life.”

Sheila attended Nasson College in Maine. After moving to the D.C. area, she trained as an x-ray technician at Georgetown Hospital and was employed in that vocation. Years later, Sheila attended the University of Maryland, and in 1991 received her degree in business management with a major in accounting. She used her financial and bookkeeping skills to serve many clients, including pro bono clients.

Sheila married Karl Bach under the care of Friends Meeting of Washington on September 14, 1958. Their first child, David Karl Bach, was born on April 26, 1960, and his brother, Peter Allan Bach, was born on May 18, 1961. Sheila and Karl were very involved with the creation of Langley Hill Meeting in McLean, Va. Along with others, they searched for a meetinghouse and formed a spiritual community. Sheila and Karl eventually divorced. Sheila remained active at Langley Hill for more than 60 years. She served as the religious education coordinator and on most every other committee, often as clerk. During meeting for worship, Sheila could be found sitting in her usual place with a child sitting on her lap or next to her. She had a special way of helping young Friends settle into silence.

Sheila was interim general secretary of Friends General Conference in Philadelphia, Pa.; regional accountant for American Friends Service Committee in Baltimore, Md.; and an organizer for student groups at William Penn House in D.C. She served Baltimore Yearly Meeting as treasurer, annual session registrar, clerk of the Program Committee, and on the Faith and Practice Committee. Sheila was camp assistant and later director at Opequon Quaker Camp in Clear Brook, Va. She traveled with Friends to New Zealand, Ireland, England, and Guatemala through Friends World Committee for Consultation.

Sheila was an avid outdoorswoman from her youth in Maine onward. She was involved in founding the Friends Wilderness Center (FWC) on the grounds of Rolling Ridge Conservancy in Harpers Ferry, W.V. In 1999, with the help of Langley Hill Friends, she moved to the center to become its caretaker. In that role, she oversaw the activities of FWC for more than three decades, including hosting regular programs and providing overnight stays for guests. Her skill in the kitchen benefited the many guests, and everyone came away from a visit with Sheila well-fed. She perfected cakes, cookies, and other baked goods, and made a habit of taking birthday cakes to Broadmead Friends each month. While living at FWC, Sheila continued her involvement with Langley Hill Meeting, driving 60 miles each way for weekly worship in addition to numerous committee meetings.

In 2021, when it was clear she could no longer live on her own, Sheila was welcomed to live with longtime friends in Sandy Spring, Md. Two years later, she moved to Idaho to live closer to her son Peter.

Sheila was predeceased by a son, David Karl Bach, in 2016.

She is survived by one son, Peter Alan Bach; and her former husband, Karl Fitch Bach.