Sheila (Yoell) Kneass

Sheila Yoell Kneass, passed away peacefully in Healdsburg, CA on March 8, 2026. A native of San Francisco, Sheila was born on September 14, 1933, the daughter of Helen and Rodney Yoell, MD. She attended the Hamlin School, the Convent of the Sacred Heart, and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1956, where she was a member of Alpha Phi sorority.

Sheila travelled to Europe in 1956 where she married her first husband, Perry Rosson (d. 2002), who was serving in the U.S. Army overseas. They soon returned to Piedmont, CA and later moved to Saratoga, CA, where she lived for thirty years. Teaming up with three close friends in the 1970's, Sheila built a successful catering company which she eventually sold in the 1990's and is still thriving today.

Sheila married Bill Kneass in 1994 and they moved to Healdsburg, where they enjoyed the beautiful community together, until his death in 2007. An avid reader, she worked in two bookstores and later in a cooking store in Healdsburg. She loved to travel and continued to do so late into her 80's when she and a dear friend went on a tent safari in Africa.

Sheila was adored by her family and friends. She had an infectious sense of humor and an extraordinarily upbeat perspective. As a true lover of life, Sheila instilled a sense of fun combined with humility, and hard work in her children and grandchildren. She was a wonderful cook, and she will be remembered by the warm and delicious parties and holidays she hosted.

Having lived a long and varied life, Sheila will be deeply missed. She loved her family and many friends, and her legacy will forever be to appreciate all that life has to give and gratitude for all one has. Sheila's last few years were filled with time with her family and the exceptionally dedicated and caring staff at The Ridge in Healdsburg.

Sheila is survived by her three children, Peter Rosson (David Barrett), Katie Rosson (Gibson Scheid), Charlie Rosson (Denise Rosson); and her granddaughters, Schuyler and Alexandra "Kiki" Rosson. She is predeceased by her brother, John Yoell; and her sister, Catherine "Missy" Saveri.

A service will be held at St Paul's Episcopal Church in Healdsburg on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Healdsburg Food Pantry: https://www.healdsburgfoodpantry.org/donate-today.

Published in Healdsburg Tribune · March 11, 2026