Nellie Jane Rhoades

Nellie Jane (Urquhart) Rhoades, 84, passed away peacefully at her home in Meadville, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, August 5, with her children at her bedside.

Nellie was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She had a courageous spirit and a generous heart.

Nellie had a special affection for the beach and shelling. Many, who knew her as the Shell Lady, remember her walking the beaches of Sanibel Island at low tide often before dawn collecting seashells and sharing them with young beachgoers.

She was born April 19, 1936 in Meadville, the daughter of Robert and Theama Dygert Urquhart.  On December 3, 1955, she married Robert J. Rhoades, who preceded her in death in 2013.

Survivors include a daughter, Sally Schramm, of Ashland, Ohio; a son, Robert Rhoades, of Meadville; and a daughter, Susie Patch and her husband Chris, of Milford, Ohio; six grandchildren, Ryan Blair, Sarah Moes and her husband Geoffrey, Kristin Shipman and her husband Nathanial, Kevin Rhoades, Lainey Patch, and Lacey Patch; two sisters, Ruth Calvert and Barbara Scott; two brothers, Robert Urquhart and his wife Dot and Dan Urquhart and his wife Sandy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be private and held graveside at Evergreen Cemetery, Harmonsburg with Rev. Lois Morrison officiating.

A very special thank you to the Yolanda Barco Oncology Institute, especially Dr. Han and Dawnmel Grove, for their genuine caring and kindness.  The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Yolanda Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville, PA 16335.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the ROBERT W. WAID FUNERAL HOME, 581 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE where memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net.