SARATOGA SPRINGS — Amy Ann Wehkoja Shimkus was a caring mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She passed away on March 23, 2022 at the age of 77 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born to Bernhardt and Lillian Wehkoja on April 20, 1944 in Worcester, MA. Amy was raised in Worcester. After high school, she attended Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1964. She began her long career as a nurse first at Holden Hospital then Memorial Hospital. In 2002 she moved to Virginia and worked at INOVA Fairfax Hospital and then Virginia Heart in Fairfax, VA. She practiced nursing for 48 years before retiring. She loved spending time with family, traveling, going to concerts, watching her grandchildren perform in plays, musicals, band concerts, chorus concerts, baseball games, basketball games, football games - anything involving her grandchildren brought her so much joy. She also loved to spend time with her sisters watching movies, traveling and eating out. She enjoyed time with friends and loved playing Rummikub. She also adored her grand dog RBI aka “Ribby.” He would take her for walks every day and sit in her lap all day long. She took care of him, and he took care of her.
Amy leaves behind three children, Todd Shimkus and wife Lisa, Tracy Cheifetz and husband Craig, Trisha Sperry and husband Rich Englund; two sisters, Betty Carlson and Joan LaForce; seven grandchildren, Katie Shimkus, Ben Shimkus, Jared Cheifetz, Joel Cheifetz, Jason Cheifetz, Tyler Sperry and Amanda Englund, and several nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Herb Shimkus, brother Bruce Wehkoja, sister Debbie O’Malley and niece Jessica LaForce.
A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Wesley Foundation or The Walk to End Alzheimer’s for Team “Amy’s Army” in Reston, VA on October 23, 2022. Additionally, Amy’s children will be collecting stuffed animals to donate to residents at the Wesley Community.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
