Sheila Ellen Woo

Sheila Ellen Woo

Sheila was born in Seattle’s Providence hospital on February 2, 1941 to Frank and Mary Woo. She lost her battle with cancer on July 16, 2022. At her bedside was her wife and long-time partner, Toni Covell.

Raised in Seattle’s Central District, Sheila attended Horace Mann Elementary, Washington Jr. High, and graduated as a proud Bulldog from Garfield High School. She briefly attended the UW as a physical education major. It did not take long for Sheila to realize college was not for her. Her first real job was with Pacific Northwest Bell as our own “one ringy-dingy, two ringy-dingy” switchboard operator. Unknown to many, while at PNB Sheila also moonlighted as the weather girl for KYAC radio, Seattle’s original soul station. Absent of formal (or any) meteorological training, Sheila reported the day’s weather by looking out her bedroom window! Wanting to see the world, she decided to leave her PNB and weather girl careers to work for Northwest Airlines as a reservationist. While living in Minneapolis and New York, Northwest gave her the opportunity to travel Europe and Asia before settling in the Bay Area and Palm Springs for the next 30+ years.

In San Francisco’s Filmore district, Sheila became a partner of a small, struggling 2nd hand bookstore, The Brown Bag. She worked hard to establish The Brown Bag as the popular, must-see corner store where visitors could quickly pick up essential office supplies or linger to find that perfect gift from an array of whimsical and unique items that “The Bag” offered.

To get away from the bustle of city life, she bought a home in Villa Grande, CA along the Russian River, akin to life here on Bainbridge. In 2007 Sheila retired and returned home to Seattle to spend time with her aging mother and to be with family and friends.

Sheila loved animals, these were her children. She marked her personality on each animal with names such as Greta Garbark, Napoleon Bone-aparte, BuckaWoo, and Chubby Cheekers. She was tireless in finding homes for stray dogs and cats, many times taking them in herself.

An avid fan of the SF Giants, 49ers, Warriors, Seahawks, Mariners and the Storm, Sheila was a herself a natural athlete. She carried a 175 bowling average, at 5’9” was a dominating center in the Asian girls basketball league, an ace fast-pitch soft ball pitcher, and a relentless razor clam digger.

Sheila started playing the violin in Jr. High and was in the orchestra at Garfield. As a child, her first instrument was the xylophone! She loved music and movies – recording artists and screen stars such as Elvis, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Joplin, Alan Ladd, James Dean, Jane Fonda, Lilly Tomlin. Life in the Bay Area and the Fillmore District culture enlivened her soul with its jazz and art scenes. In all her homes were displayed the paintings and other artwork of many local, emerging artists she supported.

Always on the move and looking good in her many modes of transportation, Sheila owned a 1957 Bel Air, 1970 TR6, and 1990 Miata (all convertibles) and for work a mid-60’s Transporter VW truck. She also owned and rode a big motorcycle. Sheila on a 650 Triumph with the wind blowing through her hair!

Early introduction to “gaming” from mother Mary’s regular mahjong games and her Dad at the Wah Mee Club, there were many family poker games at home and trips to Reno and Vegas. Win or lose, Sheila enjoyed every casino outing with her friends and relatives.

Sheila, thank you for sharing your wisdom, your ability to find joy in life and showing us how to live life to its fullest.

Other highlights of Sheila Woo

· The Cottage Book features the house where Sheila lived on Polk Street (San Francisco)

· The New Fillmore magazine (July 2, 2018) nostalgic article by Barbara Wyeth describes the popularity and unique vibe of Sheila’s enterprise, The Brown Bag. https://newfillmore.com/2018/07/02/the-brown-bag-served-up-an-eclectic-mix/

Slideshow link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFHXaMHU5o/L75mG5yfj1sb0ZlT69pEWw/watch?utm_content=DAFHXaMHU5o&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Please share memories and condolences on the Tribute Wall, located above.

Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home - Lake View ~ Seattle, Washington