Sheila Frances Ripley, age 89, a resident of Riviera Beach for 35 years, and previously of Baltimore, passed on December 26, 2018 after suffering from pneumonia.

She was born on February 20, 1929, in London, England, to the late Evelyn Mary and Charles Ripley. During World War II she worked in London with the auxiliary transport service. After moving to Baltimore, she went to work for the Baltimore City Police Department from 1961 to 2000, as a meter maid, and as a captain for the Special Police Water Sheds of Baltimore City. She then worked for the Anne Arundel County CID unit from 2003 until 2018. During her free time she enjoyed knitting and playing golf, and loved horses and horseback riding.

Along with her parents, Sheila is preceded in death by her son Michael McAbee.

She is survived by her daughter Sheila Randy Gelwicks and her husband Carroll; of Perry Hall; her grandson Ryan Gelwicks, also of Perry Hall; her granddaughter Brittany Jones and her husband Rob, of Belair; her sister Rosemary Collo, of New Zealand; her niece Janet Clarke da Encarnacao; great nephew Waide da Encarnacao; and her great niece Kendra da Encarnacao, all of New Zealand; and her two great grandchildren.

Family requests friends visit at the Gregory J. Gonce Funeral Home, PA, 169 Riviera Drive, Pasadena, 21122 on Saturday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. Her funeral service will be held at 6:30 PM on Saturday, during the evening visitation hours. Those who wish may donate to the SPCA of Maryland, 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore, 21211, and feel free to express your condolences below as well.