Obituary: Shirley Ann Sheehan, 79

Shirley Ann (James) Sheehan, 79, of Newport, RI, died on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Grand Islander. She was the wife of the late Austin R. Sheehan.

Born in Newport, RI on August 8, 1934, she was the daughter of the late John and Dolly (Stratton) James.

Mrs. Sheehan was a 1952 graduate of Rogers High School where she was Captain of the Cheerleading squad. She also graduated in 1955 from the Newport Hospital School of Nursing and was a lifelong Registered Nurse caring compassionately for her patients, for many years she worked at St. Clare Nursing Home. Shirley had sparkling blue eyes and a contagious smile that lit up a room. She was a ferocious reader, great dancer and a talented knitter. 

She is survived by her children, Austin R. Sheehan of Narragansett, RI, Patricia Sheehan Brighton and her husband Gary of Charlestown, RI, Robert H. Sheehan and his wife Mary Behan Sheehan of Tacoma, WA, Pamela Sheehan McGuire and her husband James of Newport, RI, Rev. Peter John Sheehan of Pascoag, RI, Mary Sheehan Vales and her husband Manuel of Barrington, RI and Patrick Sheehan of Newport, RI, her brother Michael James and his wife Sharon of Cumberland, RI, her nine grandchildren, Christina Sheehan Wallace, Mercy Sheehan, Isis Brighton, Bobby Sheehan, Matthew Sheehan, Abigael McGuire, Brendon Sheehan, Kaitlin McGuire and Morgan Vales and four great grandchildren.

She was the sister of the late John James.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2014, from 4:00-7:00pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, March 7, 2014, at 10:00am, in St. Joseph's Church, Broadway and Mann Avenue, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columba Catholic Cemetery, Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Joseph’s Church, 5 Mann Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.

The family extends its gratitude to the Caregivers and Extended Family and Friends at The Grand Islander Nursing Home