Sheila Patricia (Seward) McPhee, a resident of Epping, New Hampshire and formerly of Wakefield, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 28, 2014 after a valiant 25 year struggle with brain cancer and the after effects. She was 64 years old.
Sheila was born in Stoneham on March 17, 1950, a daughter of the late Clifton J. Seward and Alice (Beekman) Seward. She grew up in Wakefield where she was educated in the Wakefield Public School system and graduated from Wakefield High School. She then married and moved to Delta Junction Alaska, where she went through Army Survival Training becoming a certified “Sourdough Sal” where she resided with the moose, bear, and bison for two years before moving to Socorro New Mexico, where she enjoyed the desert and the mountains. Upon return to Massachusetts she purchased the small house which would become her castle for the next 40 years. She also packed up and moved to Niantic, Connecticut with her husband for two years while maintaining the home in Wakefield. After raising three young daughters, she - attended Northeastern University for Marine Biology. Sheila worked at The New England Aquarium for a couple of years and was a Store Manager at the CFM convenient store in Wakefield for over 12 years. She started her own business, “Cruisin Critters”, where she made stuffed toys and dolls for children of all ages. Sheila was devoted to her husband and was the proudest mom of her 3 girls. She was a strong loving woman and was loved by all who met her and never had a bad word to say about anyone.
She enjoyed her summer house on Newfound Lake, long walks on the beach and playing with her dogs, of which she always had one if not more. She also enjoyed travel when she was able. Most of all, she enjoyed life, playing with her children and grandchildren, and bringing joy to everyone around her with her infectious laughter and her smile through all walks of life.
Sheila is the beloved wife of 45 years to Bruce A. McPhee. She is the loving mother of Michele Renee McPhee & her fiancé Tim Freda of East Boston, Shannon Beth Thompson & her husband Kenneth of Saugus & Erin Bridget Donovan & her husband Jonathon of Blackstone. She is the cherished Grandmother to Jimmy, Jared, Abigail, Tiana, Joshua, Kaylee, Cameron, Jayden, & her 2 great-grandchildren; Nilson & Ellena. She is the beloved sister of Joan Mary Dennis & Jack Seward both of Wakefield. She is also survived by many nieces & nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Sheila's Funeral on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 9 AM. from The Carr Funeral Home, 1159 Main St. Melrose/Wakefield line followed by her Funeral Mass in the Most Blessed Sacrament Church 1155 Main St. Wakefield at 10 AM. Burial will be at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody. Visiting hours will be on Friday October 3, 2014 from 4 - 8 PM. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers kindly make a memorial donation in Sheila's name to the Brain Cancer Research Fund of Dr. Jorg Dietrich, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Development Office, 165 Cambridge St. Suite 600, Boston, Mass. 02114 or the National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel St., Suite 200, Newton, Mass. 02458.