Lukina G. Sheldon

Lukina Geertruida van der Werf Sheldon was born in Rotterdam, July 6, 1934. She was preceded in death by her mother; Geertruida Sophia Guillot, father; Jan van der Werf, brothers; Tjipke/Pim and Joop, and her beloved husband; John O Sheldon.

After Lukina’s mother’s death in 1945, at the age of 11, Lukina was sent to London, at the end of WWII, to live with a family affording her opportunities. Many Dutch children were sent to live with other families at this time. This proved to be an important event in

Lukina’s life. Through this relationship it was suggested that Lukina apply for the position as the Dutch secretary assistant to the Managing Director in London of Royal/Shell Company in 1959. She excelled in her position and traveled the world. In 1962 after the retirement of her director she received an appointment to the Congo, where she first met her future husband John. Then she was off to Morocco in 1965 as the French-speaking personal assistant to the GM of Shell. Her next appointment was to Nigeria in 1969, where she met her husband-to-be, again! She was given another assignment in Qatar later that year. At the completion of that appointment she returned to the United States and married John in 1972.

Lukina resigned from the Royal Dutch/Shell Company after 11 ½ years of service. She found herself at the Union Nations as French/English bilingual assistant in the UN Investment Development Program in New York City. Lukina traveled with John, as the wife of a Texaco executive. In 1973 Lukina started a new career as a Real Estate Broker in Miami, which she continued until retirement. She lived in Key Colony Beach in the Florida Keys and moved to West Palm Beach in 2000.

Lukina had a passion for the arts and culture her entire life. She studied languages; Dutch, English, French and German. She held positions in Public Relations, Advertising, Real Estate Broker and Salesperson. She also made positive changes in her community. She organized the KCB Gems women’s group in Key Colony, she was VP for Middle Keys Concert Association and became an Executive Member of the Board of Trustees for the Fisherman’s Hospital.

Lukina is survived by nieces and nephews, in the Netherlands: Niko van der Werf, Nikoline van der Werf, Frank van der Werf, Hanneke van der Werf, Lukina van der Werf, Dorothy and Jacqueline de Winter. In the United States; step-daughter Linda Hansen, step-granddaughters Tracy Shriver and Megan Heagney, Nieces and nephews, Mira Fakirananda, Chase McIntyre, Colin Kirk, Peter Kirk, David S. Kirk, Sheldon Kirk, David C. Kirk, Connie Norris and Sheldon Norris.

Lukina was also very fortunate for the close friends in her life who always were there for support over the years: Shellie Metellus, Melody Perkins, Christine & Pete Meier, Robert Mehering, Rashelle Metellus, Chris Brown.

Lukina passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025 in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, surrounded by friends and family at her bedside. Lukina will be missed by many!

We love and miss you! Hugs and Kisses XXOO

A Memorial Service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Tillman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2170 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida.

For those unable to attend, services for Lukina will be avialable for viewing via livestream. To view the webcast beginning at 1:30 PM on Saturday...CLICK HERE.