Sheila Rose Bailey

1981 - 2024

Sheila Rose Bailey passed into the arms of her loving Heavenly Father Friday, June 14, in Hospice House, Concord, New Hampshire after a brief illness.

She was born Aug. 13, 1981, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to the Rev. David W. and Kathleen D. Bailey. She moved to New Hampshire when she was 2 and spent the rest of her life in the Granite State. Raised in Raymond, she attended Raymond schools and graduated with a GED certificate from Exeter Adult Education. She attended Northern Essex Community College and Chester College of New England.

She resided in Concord and was a freelance photographer working with her mother on several nonfiction local history titles for Arcadia Publishing. She co-authored "Past and Present Exeter," "New Hampshire War Monuments: The Stories Behind the Stones," and "Growing Up in Concord, New Hampshire in the 50s and 60s." A fourth volume, "History Lover's Guide to New Hampshire," is expected to debut this fall.

Sheila enjoyed her life in Concord. She was one of the bakers for events at the Audi, including the Walker Lectures. She enjoyed the Community Players, Market Days, the Festival of Trees at the Bektash Temple, the "Nutcracker" at St. Paul's School, and other city events. Her favorite places to eat included Veano's, Constantly Pizza and both iterations of The Post.

Sheila was a foodie who loved posting photos of her meals. She liked traveling around New Hampshire and New England. Favorite events included the Lupine in Sugar Hill, followed by a trip to Polly's Pancake Parlor, and the Fall Foliage Festival in Warner. She liked sampling maple syrup at the annual Kearsarge Maple Weekend, also in Warner. She was a fan of the Hampton Beach sand sculptures and loved the ocean, having lived there for several years.

Sheila studied ballet and Irish step dancing in her younger years. She also enjoyed drama, both viewing and performing. Her favorite shows included "Lost" and "Dr. Who" (modern, not classic). She enjoyed the cartoon series "Duck Tales," both the 80s version and the modern one, and always felt Donald didn't get enough credit.

Sheila was diagnosed with cancer on Feb. 14, 2024. She worked hard to maintain her quality of life for the last four months. She was brave and never complained.

The family would like to thank Granite VNA and Hospice, including Angela, Anna, Kathy, Duane, Tina and Samantha. Thanks are also extended to Angie Sambold of Riverbend, her case worker for several years. We thank the Rev. Bonnie Beam, Journey Church, for her steadfast presence in spiritual matters. We also thank the staff at Hospice House for their compassion in her final days. Thanks to Alyssa Pockell for guidance in the cancer journey. And gratitude is extended to Aunt Sheila Lewis, who visited her every Sunday and brought goodies.

She was predeceased by her grandparents, Alfred A. Perron, Alice White Perron, Rosa M. Bailey and Benjamin F. Bailey. She was also predeceased by two aunts, Susan Bailey and Rosa Davis.

She leaves her parents, the Rev. David and Kathleen Bailey; and her older sister, Catherine S. Bailey. Aunts and uncles include Sheila Lewis of Concord; Connie Bailey and Paul Bailey, both of Raymond; Richard and Patricia Bailey of Hudson; Jeffrey Bailey of Nashua; and Estelle Decatur of Exeter. She leaves several cousins including Rachel Scanzani (Shawn) of Hudson; Patrick Bailey (Ashley) of Hudson; Sharon Richardson (Jeffrey) of Fremont; Richard Davis of Fremont; Brian Davis of Manchester; Michael Davis (Cindy) of Hinsdale; Amber J. Bailey of Raymond; John Saunders of Florida; Edwin Decatur (Gabrielle) of Brentwood; Robin Decatur (Arthur) of Virginia; Sarah Ouellette of Concord; and Stephen Lewis of Litchfield. She also leaves three dear friends, Crystal Caron, Joline Desrosiers and Katya Sullivan. In her last months she renewed a childhood friendship with Jennifer Beaudoin and made a new friend in Sarah Wells.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, www.donate.cancer.org; Hospice House, 240 Pleasant St., Concord, NH, (603) 224-4093; or the Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point, P.O. Box 570, Rye NH 03870-0570, (603) 436-8043.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, July 14, at 3 p.m. in Journey Church, 5 Tinkham Ave., Derry. Sheila Rose Bailey