Shawn L. Sipe, 58, formerly of New Freedom and York, PA and Vashon, WA died Friday, February 20 in Dallastown, PA. Born September 27, 1956, she grew up in Lehighton, PA where she was a founding member of Zion Opera Workshop. Following high school, she spent a year as an exchange student in Quebec, Canada, before returning to the U.S. to earn a degree in French and education at Susquehanna University. In 1979 she married Donald Sipe, moved to York County, PA and began working at Martin Library. She worked at the library until 2009, except for four years in the 1980s when she directed the New Freedom Library. Shawn loved children’s books, people, travel, antiques, and giraffes. She and her daughter, Sarah, ran an antiques booth, Tangle Britches, at Grey Beards in Jacobus for several years. From 2010 to 2014, Shawn lived on Vashon Island, worked as an instructional materials specialist for Seattle Public Schools, sang with the Vashon Island Chorale, learned to crochet, and became a skilled photographer. Her survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Tyson Coates of Red Lion, PA; parents, James and Maureen Eckman of Cross Keys, PA; two sisters, Sheila Eckman of Vashon, WA, spouse of Berneta Walraven, and Shannon Christman of Dover, PA, wife of Mark Christman; a nephew, Alexander Christman of Dover; and a niece, Danica Christman of Dover. Her infant daughter, Emily Sipe, died in 1985. In lieu of flowers, friends and family may send donations in Shawn’s memory to Martin Library, 159 E. Market Street, York, PA 17401 or GAiN, P.O. Box 139020, Dallas, Texas 75313.

Paid Obituary.