Sheila M. D'Orsa

Our mother passed away on the evening of Thanksgiving. After a long up and down battle with dementia, Sheila is finally at peace.  Given the date of her passing, we can only think of the ways we are thankful for her and the legacy she leaves behind. We are grateful for her efforts as a devoted mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.  Born in Southend London, she grew up in a loving home with her Mum, Dad, and siblings; Leslie, Ronnie, Joan, and Doreen. Sheila recalled memories of her childhood fondly; everything from the ending of World War 2 to secretly buying and hiding her dog prince. It was in London, and during the Korean war that she met the love of her life, an American aircraft mechanic in the US Airforce.  After a storybook romance, that includes love letters written on military stationary, they married. Sheila took a leap of faith and moved across the ocean with him to start a family in New York. Sadly, our dad passed too early and left behind his wife and three teenage children.  The strength it took to continue on, is one that we are in awe of.  For this and for Sheila to finally see the love of her life again, we are grateful. Her stress on the importance of family will always stay with us. Thank you for everything, Mom.