Linda K. Shields

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of Linda Kay (Sixx) Shields of Emmitsburg, MD, on February 7, 2024.  Linda passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loving husband and family who had supported her with boundless love through her 6-year battle with lymphoma which she fought valiantly.  She was the devoted wife of Dale Shields, Jr., from July 16, 1977, until her death parted them.  Linda was born on September 11, 1952, in Waynesboro, PA, the first child of the late James and Emily (Valentine) Sixx who welcomed her with open arms to her Heavenly home.

In addition to her husband Dale, Linda is survived by her two children, Jeremiah Shields of Fairfield, PA, and Rebecca Cichocki of Walkersville, MD.  Her love extended to Rebecca’s husband, Marc, and their two children, Jackson and Ava, the light of her life for the past ten years.  Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy.  She will also be greatly missed by two sisters, Kathy Sixx (Andy) of Walkersville, and Bonnie (John) Sanders of Rocky Ridge, as well as Bonnie and John’s children, Travis, Marrie & Taylor and Benjamin & Vanessa, all of Fairfield.  Linda is also survived by Dale’s siblings:  Diane (Steve) Wivell, Joyce (Gerolf) Engelstatter, and David (Mary Anne) Shields and their children, Stephen, Mary Fran, Jennifer, Julie, Mary, Markus, Kathy, Caroline, David & Kimberly in addition to many great nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents and Dale’s parents, Dale, Sr. and Mary Helen (Peck) Shields.

Linda was a graduate of the first complete senior year of Catoctin High School in 1970 and went on to graduate as a music educator from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) in 1974.  She began teaching vocal and general music at New Windsor Middle School in 1974 and dedicated her entire career there for 39 years.  In addition to presenting annual winter and spring choral concerts, she also directed many musical theater productions at New Windsor encouraging the love of music and musical theater in many students.  Linda was a very active member of her church, Mt. Tabor Lutheran in Rocky Ridge, as well as serving as the church organist, choir director, and Sunday School pianist for 49 years!  She actively served many terms on the church council and as treasurer of the Willing Workers since her mother’s passing in 2012.

In her spare time Linda loved being outdoors in gardening, bird-watching, hiking, fishing, kayaking.  She also loved to travel, shop and go wine-tasting.  She received a Lunker Bass Award for catching a 9-pound bass in Florida’s St. John’s River in 2020.  She was an excellent cook and party hostess, entertaining family, high school and college friends at her home on many occasions.  Even during her treatment and as recently as this past December she was making food for other folks who needed lifting up!

The family expresses their sincere gratitude to Linda’s care team at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Hospice of Frederick.  The family will receive friends on Monday, February 12 from 5 to 8 PM at Stauffer Funeral Home, 104 East Main Street, Thurmont.  Please join us in a Celebration of Life Service at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church in Rocky Ridge on Tuesday, February 13 at 11:00 AM with Rev. James Russell and her nephew, Travis Sanders who is a seminarian at United Lutheran Seminary, officiating.

In lieu of flowers and in her memory, the family asks that you consider a donation to Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, 10043 Longs Mill Rd., Rocky Ridge, MD 21778; or Frederick Health Hospice, PO Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702.