Sheila O'Heir-Coelho

Sheila May O’Heir-Coelho, age 77, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 24, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Sheila was born on May 25, 1946, in Brockton, Massachusetts to Thomas and Helen (Doyle) O’Heir. She was predeceased by her three older siblings: Thomas, Mary, and Eileen. Sheila graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in 1964 and Stonehill College in 1968 with a major in Philosophy and a minor in Mathematics. She received her Master’s in Education from Boston State (now U Mass Boston) in 1975. While a professor of Mathematics at Massasoit Community College in Brockton Massachusetts, Sheila met her beloved Ron (a chemistry professor himself) in the early 1980’s. The two were married in 1985. She quickly became a wonderful mom, breathing new life into a family that very much needed her happiness and energy. Sheila resided in Middleboro with her family and devoted dog Chemistry. She loved her vocation as a math professor, reaching out to students, making difficult math understandable and enjoyable. She was also a former elementary school teacher at Holy Family in Rockland. Teaching people from many different backgrounds and ages was certainly part of her fiber! She officially retired at the age of 71; known forever as a kind, caring and humorous teacher ~ one who could actually make math fun! Always the quintessential gatherer of people, Sheila loved to cook and host get-togethers for all occasions. Many joyful nights were spent with friends and family congregating around the kitchen island, always entertained by both Sheila and Ronnie; food, stories, and jokes always flowing like wine! Sheila loved fashion and shopping. She was known to have the fanciest clothes and hats and assembled colorful and textured outfits as if for Vogue magazine. She was a talented painter of fine art and interiors. Her house was something of a chameleon as she would change its look frequently! Sheila was a faithful congregant of Sacred Heart Church in Middleboro, where she sang in the choir and enjoyed each and every Sunday service. With her husband Ron, she taught “Generations of Faith” a Sunday school class for entire families. Her love of God and of teaching were gifts from the Holy Spirit, which she followed with love and faithful commitment. Preceded in death by her husband, Sheila is survived by her three children and their families who love her and will miss her dearly: Allison & Billy Picone (Angie and Joe) of Grafton; Julie & Ken Ketler (Tom, James, Susie) of Lakeville; and Tony & Amanda Coelho (Anthony) of Middleboro. She is also survived by many beloved cousins, nephews, & nieces and many, many wonderful friends. Her wake will be held at Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home in Lakeville, MA on Thursday, June 29th from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. The funeral Mass will be on Friday, June 30th at Sacred Heart Church in Middleboro at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery in West Bridgewater. Our entire family is grateful for our village who helped us during her illness. Your devotion and love are forever in each of our hearts.

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