Mrs. Sheila O. Vormwald

May 21, 1947 - August 22, 2016

Sheila O'Leary Vormwald, 69, of Cortland passed away Monday August 22, 2016 after a brief illness. Born May 21, 1947 in Cortland, Sheila was the daughter of Robert and Mary Clark O'Leary and a Cortland resident her entire life. Sheila was a highly respected teacher with an accomplished career. She taught Kindergarten at St. Mary's Parochial School for 20 years, where she established the school's all-day Kindergarten program and was presented with a national award for her teaching excellence. Sheila then went on to teach at Homer Elementary School for 16 years before retiring, and also taught future teachers as an instructor at SUNY Cortland. Her passion for teaching led her to explore innovative ways for improving student learning, including developing a K-2 multi-age classroom at Homer. She touched the lives of many families in the community through her compassionate, patient, and loving approach to teaching children. Sheila's abundant love was most profoundly seen with her own children and grandchildren. Her most valued moments were spending time with family, especially with her grandchildren. Sheila was known to her family and friends as a kind, loving person. Her generosity was awe-inspiring, she was a source of wisdom when asked for advice, and she was a genuinely good person, always taking the high road. Sheila enjoyed swimming with her family and friends, cooking for others, and meeting with friends at restaurants, especially the Community Restaurant, where she had a long family history. She also had a deep love of reading, enjoyed collecting books, and was a member of many book clubs. She is survived by her four children, Joseph of Silver Springs, Maryland, Kristen (Ernest) Case of Cortland, David (Melisa) of Camillus and Sean (Ashley) of Homer, 9 grandchildren, Carlotta, Kirkland, Gildon and Porter Case, Ryan, Jonah and Samuel Vormwald, Anabel and Silvie Vormwald, her two brothers,; Patrick (Kathy) O'Leary of Oswego and Michael (Colleen) O'Leary of Manlius. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, prayers of committal will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends on Friday from 4-7 p.m. in the chapel of Riccardi Funeral Home 69 N. Main St., Cortland, N.Y. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to, The Children's Room of Cortland Free Library. Condolences may also be sent by visiting www.riccardifuneralhome.com Sheila will live on in the hearts of her family and friends, and through the impact she has made on the lives of people in the community