Sheila V. Souza

Sheila V. Souza obituary, East Falmouth, MA

Sheila V. Souza

Upcoming Events

Sep

6

Visitation

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

584 West Falmouth Hwy -, West Falmouth, MA 02574

Send Flowers

Sep

6

Service

11:00 a.m.

St. Anthony's Church

167 E. Falmouth Highway, East Falmouth, MA 02536

Send Flowers

Only 6 days left for delivery to next service.

Sheila Souza Obituary

Visit the Chapman Funerals & Cremations - West Falmouth website to view the full obituary.
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.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Chapman Funerals & Cremations - West Falmouth

584 West Falmouth Hwy (Rt 28A), West Falmouth, MA 02574

Make a Donation
in Sheila Souza's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Plan and Price a Funeral

Create a funeral plan and price estimate in less than 5 minutes.

How to support Sheila's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Sheila Souza's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sponsored

Upcoming Events

Sep

6

Visitation

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

584 West Falmouth Hwy -, West Falmouth, MA 02574

Send Flowers

Sep

6

Service

11:00 a.m.

St. Anthony's Church

167 E. Falmouth Highway, East Falmouth, MA 02536

Send Flowers

Only 6 days left for delivery to next service.

Plan and Price a Funeral

Create a funeral plan and price estimate in less than 5 minutes.