Shielah Ballaine, Bainbridge Woman With Unassuming Generosity Of Spirit

Severe physical limitations often lead people to excel in other ways. They offer gifts unique to all who know them.

Shielah Dunklau Ballaine was such a person. Her unassuming generosity of spirit and eagerness to help others was known throughout her Bainbridge Island community.

"Being by her side, you never had to choose which road to be on because you always knew she was on the high road," said her longtime friend Molly Mowat. "Her values were set . . . and there was no question about it,"

Mrs. Ballaine died Saturday (May 16), at 53, of complications from appendicitis. For much of her life, a congenital heart defect caused her to tire very easily and prevented her from engaging in strenuous activity.

But that didn't keep her from being a model of determination and kindness to all who knew her, friends and family said.

One example was her work every season helping collect and distribute toys and food vouchers for more than 250 families at Bainbridge's Helpline House, a Christmas project for needy families.

She also served as a volunteer at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, a nonprofit gallery for Northwest artists, and once worked as a docent to bring a Northwest art collection through Bainbridge Island schools.

But her small acts of kindness were what endeared her to her many friends and acquaintances. They could always count on her to brighten their day.

"She compensated (for her illness) by being a totally giving person," said her husband, David Ballaine.

"The number of people she did things for in such a caring, non-judgmental way is incredible. . . . She had an openness that showed in her face and people just liked her immediately."

When a friend's child was christened, she made certain, even when she was ill, that he or she received a gift.

When someone new arrived in her community, she made them feel welcome. Mowat remembers the time she awakened at 6 a.m. on May 1 to discover Mrs. Ballaine quietly placing a needle-point May basket on her front doorstep, then sneaking away.

A lifelong music lover, Mrs. Ballaine was an enthusiastic member of the Bainbridge Chorale and tried to participate in the group's annual Christmas and spring concerts.

But Mowat remembered laughingly how her friend would practice through every fall for the "Messiah" concert and every year but one, come down with the flu and miss the performance.

Mrs. Ballaine was born in Lincoln, Neb. and grew up there and in Omaha. She graduated from the University of Nebraska. She taught elementary school in Santa Ana, Calif. and later in Bellevue at Pilgrim Lutheran School before moving to Bainbridge Island in 1969.

In addition to her other activities on Bainbridge, she was a long-time member of Bethany Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and served on the Altar Guild.

Besides her husband, she is survived by a daughter Beth, of Seattle; a son Jeff of Boston, and brothers Erskine Dunklau, Lincoln, Neb., and Richard Dunklau, Blue Mound, Ill.

Services were Tuesday. Remembrances may be made to Lutheran Social Services, 6920 220th St. S.W., Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043.