Sheila Alison Glazer, Oct. 15, 2018

Sheila died after fighting breast cancer for 19 years. She was 68 years old.

Sheila was born on Dec. 16, 1949 to Richard and Mildred (Weiner) Poletsky in St. Louis. She was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by other loving family members: her husband of 31 years, Eric Glazer; son Craig Varusa (whom she called the light of her life); sister Rhonda (David) Banford; nieces, Alyssa and Caitlin Banford; and several very close cousins.

Sheila received bachelor’s and a master’s degrees from Washington University and then completed 50 more credits, including her Gifted/Talented certification. For 23 years, she worked in gifted education, calling it “the best job, ever.” She loved contests and competitions for her students, such as Future Problem Solving, and she took great pleasure in the fact that her students often won. She enjoyed accompanying her students out of town for advanced competitions. After retirement from the Mehlville School District, she continued to tutor students, provided after-school enrichment classes, and taught at the university levels, such as English Composition for freshman students, and Math and master’s classes for teachers. She also supervised student teachers. Sheila was a true teacher at heart! She also loved to travel to far-away destinations. Some of her favorite travels included China, Morocco, and her most recent trip to Yandup, the indigenous part of the islands off Panama. She enjoyed traveling to Spanish-speaking countries so that she could practice her eight years of Spanish. Her advise to all was, “Travel — it opens your eyes.” Sheila also loved to dance. She didn’t learn until her early 30s, but then she never stopped. She learned and then taught the Imperial and Country Line Dance, did tap dance, belly dance, NIA, and Zumba. Dance gave her exercise, took her mind off cancer, and gave her confidence. She said dancing changed her life. After being diagnosed with cancer, Sheila spent a lot of time at the Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis (CSC). It provided her with comfort, camaraderie, and classes in art, yoga, and dance. She also participated in a weekly support group for women with metastatic breast cancer. Each year, Sheila led a group called “Thanks for the Dance” at the CSC’s annual Cancer Walk. In her honor, her family will continue the tradition, and anyone who is interested in participating is welcome to join.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. at New Mt. Sinai Mausoleum, 8430 Gravois Road in Affton. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be sent to the Cancer Support Community of STL in the name of “Sheila Alison Glazer Dance Fund.” Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information.

BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE