Sheila P. Delage

Sheila Pauline (Sessums) Delage, 76, of Northborough, MA, passed away at home surrounded by family on June 11, 2024, after a long illness. Sheila is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Francis Delage; her daughters Shannon Ferguson and her husband Christopher and Megan Sullivan and her husband Ryan; her grandchildren Finnegan Sullivan, Maeve Sullivan, Charlie Ferguson and Betty Jane Ferguson; her five siblings Kirby Sessums and his wife Donna, Daniel Sessums, Kathleen Samuelson and her husband Gary, Jane Sessums, and Laura Munro and her husband Peter; brother-in-law Ronald Delage; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sheila is predeceased by her beloved parents Kirby and Elizabeth (Breene) Sessums and many wonderful aunts and uncles.
Sheila dedicated over 30 years to teaching with a focus on excellence in Mathematics. If you were stuck on an algebra problem where two planes were flying towards each other and left 2.5 hours ago, Sheila was the person to ask how fast they were flying. She wrote the best lessons plans, graded papers all night, and inspired generations of children to make something of themselves. Learning, knowledge, and the curiosity to expand one's mind and horizons were her mission with both her students and her own children. There was never a mother more dedicated to her children's education and giving them everything in the world.
Sheila, the oldest of 6 children, was devoted to her family. Never to miss a birthday or a chance for a holiday celebration, Sheila hosted Thanksgiving for over 45 years for all her loved ones whether they liked her green bean casserole or not! Despite her long illness, she held Easter Egg hunts, birthdays, and Christmas for her grandchildren at home for the last years of her life. She met her husband in December of 1965 when she was 18 years old, and they were married on August 16, 1969. Frani, as she called him, lovingly cared for her every day they were together, and her girls are eternally grateful to him for these past four years of extraordinary dedication to her care and well-being.
Like any good teacher, Sheila's favorite part of the year was summer. She would sit in the back yard in a folding lounge chair with a good book while the girls ran around the yard - that was her happy place. She loved to garden with her husband and their perennial gardens are beautiful to this day. Her favorite things included summers at the beach on Cape Cod, watching the waves in Hilton Head Island, puzzles, crosswords, and reading. The trips with her husband, daughters, Grammy, and Aunt Jane to many special places leave her family with wonderful memories. For many years she loved a good walk around the Cherry Street Brook with her long line of "spirited" Irish Setters: Patrick, Bridget, Molly, Nellie, and Kaylie.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours at the Chiampa Funeral Home, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, on Monday, June 17th, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors are welcome to join a Celebration of Life reception the next evening, Tuesday, June 18th starting at 6pm at The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston, MA to honor her life and share stories about our dear Sheila. Reception details are available at Chiampa Funeral Home or via contacting the family.