Dec. 2, 1948 – June 7, 2008
Sheila passed away peacefully at home after a long and courageous
battle against breast cancer. Sheila was the Director of the Saint Paul
Area Council of Churches’ Department of Indian Work program for more
than 20 years and worked for the program for 36 years. Under Sheila’s
leadership, DIW has expanded from the Emergency Services food and
clothing rooms to include parenting and youth enrichment programs and
diabetes education.
Other career highlights include: Began the Elders Transportation
program with the American Red Cross; Worked with the community to build
an Elders Lodge, now located in Saint Paul; For ten years, worked with
the Church World Services CROP Walk event to raise awareness and help
with local and global hunger; Worked with community on 13 annual
University of St. Thomas powwow events.
Also during her long career, in 1989, Sheila launched the American
Indian Parenting Program and in 1992, She began the American Indian
Youth Enrichment after-school and summer programs which last summer was
recognized by First Lady Laura Bush. In 1993, Sheila was recognized
with the McKnight Award and in 2001, Sheila led the Family Education
Diabetes Program, which has grown to now include education for youth
and a partnership with the University of Minnesota. Before she died,
Sheila was in the planning process of getting a non-denominational
spiritual center built for larger groups of American Indians to gather.
At rest with daughter, Leslie Kay White Eagle; brothers, Raphael
Masquot and Timothy Masquot. Survived by companion, Timothy Bayer,
beloved mother of Laura Kidd, Archie White Eagle, Jr., Sarah White
Eagle and Rachel White Eagle; Mother, Leila Picotte; brothers, Prosper
Waukon and Abel William DeCora; sisters, Kathleen Nanette Little
Walker, Renee DeCora and Katherine Masquot-Roy; grand-daughters, Sandra
Langevin and Andrea Kidd and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews,
cousins and friends. Memorial service were held on June 12 at St. John
The Evangelist Episcopal Church, in St. Paul, with interment at Fort
Snelling National Cemetery
