Sheila V. Souza, 88, of Falmouth, MA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Bridges by EPOCH in Mashpee where she received wonderful care, compassion, and love. She was born in New Bedford to Sheila V. Daprato (King) of New Bedford and Louis J. Daprato of Barga (Italy). She resided in San Diego, CA, Falmouth, and Sandwich. She grew up in the West End of New Bedford with 7 siblings. It was a culturally rich and family centered environment where everyone pitched in around the house and at the family's candy store a few blocks away.
Sheila graduated from New Bedford High School in 1954 and was known as a 'swell gal who was lots of fun.' She worked in the Guidance Office in high school and at Hathaway Oil as a typist. At a dance with her sister Martha at Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod, she met Donald Souza from Falmouth who had just returned home from serving in Korea. They were married 6 months later on July 7, 1956. In 2023 they celebrated 67 years of marriage.
Sheila and Don made their way to San Diego, CA to find work and to be with Sheila's sisters. She worked for Pacific Telephone while Don worked for Convair. During this time, they had two children, David and Jacqueline. As the work tailed off, the family returned home and settled in Falmouth. Sheila found a job at Falmouth Hospital as a switchboard operator and then was promoted to a role in the business office.
Sheila's work ethic and business acumen stood out. She was mentored by Gerald Flynn, the hospital administrator and a highly regarded humanitarian and activist in Falmouth. Sheila continued to thrive and in 1975 became the Business Office Manager responsible for implementing a hospital accounting system from McDonnell Douglas, a predecessor to today's cloud-based systems.
While at Falmouth Hospital, Sheila became an expert in medical billing and helped several doctors with their billing challenges. With her expertise in high demand, Sheila took a big risk and left the hospital to start her own business, SVS Professional Billing Service in 1983. As the business grew many family members pitched in and it is still in existence today.
While her work was her life, she found the most joy spending time with her granddaughters Abigail and Annalisa. She adored them and her office reflected that with photos covering every wall.
She is survived by son David P. Souza and his wife Adrienne (Mashpee), daughter Jacqueline L. Souza (Bourne), grandchildren Abigail C. Rappoport and her husband Hayden (Chelmsford) and Annalisa K. Souza (Cambridge), sisters Martha (TX) and Priscilla (NY), brother Norman (FL) and brothers-in-law Thomas (Falmouth), David (NY) and sister-in-law Eileen (New Bedford).
She is predeceased by husband Donald, sisters Patricia and Barbara and brothers Louis and Paul.
Visiting hours will be held from 9:00 am to 10:30 am on Saturday, September 6th at the Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 584 West Falmouth Hwy., (Rt. 28A), West Falmouth. Funeral Mass will immediately follow at 11:00 am at St. Anthony's Church, 167 East Falmouth Hwy, East Falmouth. Burial will follow at St. Anthony's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to:
Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org or perform a Random Act of Kindness in Sheila's Memory.