Shiela Pardee was born in Dover, Delaware in 1951. She graduated from Dover High School in 1969, and was married to Robert Siemanowski. Their three children are Aaron, born 1972; Benjamin, born 1974; and Teresa, born 1977. Shiela earned a B.A. in English Eduacation from Delaware State College, then earned an M.A and Ph.D. in English Literature at the University of Delaware while working at the University of Delaware Library. After graduation, she taught at Southeast Missouri State University, 2001-2010. She married William C. Mallonee in Delaware in 1996. They are now retired and reside in Eugene, Oregon.