…retired from Crane Rental
TEWKSBURY – Sheila R. (Hibbard) Finlayson died peacefully at Blaire House Assisted Living apartments Sunday morning August 19, after returning to Tewksbury two years ago. She was the beloved wife, partner, and best friend of the late Paul Finlayson who died in February 1995.
She was born in Lowell on July 17, 1927; one of three children of the late Willard and Julia (Lahey) Hibbard and raised in Dracut. She graduated from Dracut High School, Lowell Commercial College, and the Tewksbury Hospital School of Nursing to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. While raising her daughter Cheryle, she became the bookkeeper in the family business, Crane Rental Company based in Tewksbury. She lived the greater part of her life in Twin Mountain, NH and retired to the Riverglen Senior Community in Littleton, NH before moving to back to Tewksbury.
Sheila and Paul were legendary players in Stock Car racing circles and eventually graduated to USAC Indy Cars. Together they made twenty-nine trips to the Indianapolis 500 Race. They visited most every state in the continental US, and traveled throughout Canada in their Luxury Motorhomes. They enjoyed golf at Clearbrook Resort in Florida and were active members participating in the Twin Mountain Snowmobile Club.
She leaves a daughter Cheryle Finlayson of Santa Fe, NM; dear friend and care-giver, Gail DeGregory of Tewksbury, a sister Ella “Babe” Haupt of Thomasville, NC; several nieces, nephews and dear friends. Sheila was the sister of the late Willard Hibbard Jr who died November 2016. The family wishes to acknowledge private duty aides Becky and Bonnie Sue for their loving care and the entire staff at Blaire House Assisted Living for their continuous kindness and compassion.
Memorial Visiting hours Thursday evening, 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. Funeral services will follow Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial in Tewksbury Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, please donate to addiction recovery: Brook Retreat, 55 Brook Street, Plympton, MA 02367. Visit: tewksburyfuneralhome.com