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Sheila O'Reilly Obituary
Sheila Kearns O'Reilly, 83, of Dunedin, FL, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2025 with her family by her side. She was born on May 26, 1941, in Manchester, CT, one of three children of the late Thomas and Marion Kearns. She was raised in Manchester and was a graduate of Manchester High School, class of 1959. She graduated with a teaching degree from Lesley College in Cambridge, MA, in 1963. She received her master's in education from the University of Delaware. She settled in Vernon, CT where she raised her two children.
She worked for 23 years at Aetna in Hartford, then Middletown and finally in Fresno, CA.
She drew great enjoyment from reading, traveling and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her brother, Michael Kearns, her children Patrick and his wife, Kim with their children Caitlin and Kevin and her daughter Maureen with her son James along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Holmquist.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to Suncoast Hospice Foundation (https://suncoasthospicefoundation.org/donations2/).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sheila O'Reilly
5 Entries
Joyce Maloney Talbot
March 28, 2025
Hi Mike
I'm sure you remember the Maloney clan across the street growing up. I'm Jack and Jim's younger sister Joyce. I remember Sheila always singing so beautifully from across the street and occasionally when she babysat us. She was a very pretty girl! Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your sister Sheila. I still remember all the fun times growing up on Norwood St.
Burma Shaw
March 27, 2025
Dear Mike,
I grew up near your family on Norwood Street- #38, the grey Cape across the street. I was the kid who had the wicked crush on your beagle when you moved (we adopted one, Missy, from the Habererns also), and my stepdad was the Navy vet you bargained with about you and your friends' noisy motorcycles when you came home (from overseas, if I remember correctly). I first met your sister Sheila when I passed out while riding my brand new Sting Ray bike and rode right into the back of (what I think was?) her car, parked on the corner. She was so kind, kneeling down in the street to see if I was OK. When I woke up and saw her face looking down on me, I remember thinking she was as pretty as my mom was, but ten times nicer, as she didn't even yell at me for riding into the car! I liked her very much because she gave me permission to climb (and eat ) in your family's cherry tree, whereas everyone else used to yell at me for being up there. I loved to sit and quietly watch the world go by from up in those branches. I often wondered if she let me because she did that as a kid, too. I hardly ever saw much of Sheila (she was older than me), but I would occasionally hear her lilting tunes when I would walk by your house to go babysit. I hope you have just as sweet and as kind memories of her as I do, to tide you over in your times of sorrow. Please know I'm thinking of you and remembering you and your sister quite fondly. Please take care.
With deep condolences,
Burma Shaw
(Billy Dyber's friend)
Christie Holmquist
March 25, 2025
Rip Aunt Sheila, Give my Mom a hug ..
Mike Kearns
March 25, 2025
I will miss my opera singer sister, sing all around the house as we grew up
Heidi Holmquist
March 25, 2025
I will miss you "The Great Aunt Sheilla"
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
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Memorial Events
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Funeral services provided by:
Moss Feaster Funeral Home and Cremation Services - Dunedin1320 Main Street, Dunedin, FL 34698
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