Sheila Ann

Often the stories associated with the descansos I photograph aren’t just about the deceased, and frequently it’s not the memorialized individual who made the poor decision that led to my camera coming out. This is the case of Sheila Ann Demartino of Rockaway Beach, Oregon.

Sheila Ann was crossing Highway 101 when Benjamin George Derr, also of Rockaway Beach, turned onto the highway and hit her.

She died at the scene. Seventy six years old.

The article does not say Mr. Derr was under the influence or did anything particularly wrong, aside from the obvious. He apparently just didn’t see Sheila Ann, and almost certainly didn’t expect a person to be walking across Highway 101.

Just shitty luck for both of them.

Sheila Ann’s family has gone all out on her memorial with two crosses and this beautiful stone and photo image of her. It’s really well done, and it’s clear she was loved by her family and, no doubt, in the little community of Rockaway Beach.