Nolan, Sheila a long-time resident of Dedham, died Friday July 26th while traveling on vacation with her twin sister, Nancy.
Born in 1946 in Norwood, MA, Sheila attended and graduated from the Mass Hospital School in Canton, MA. After her education she worked for 25 years as a customer service representative for Sears.
Though confined to a wheelchair, Sheila with her never ending positive outlook had a wonderful love of life, family, friends and caregivers. She was always ready with a smile and had a gift of making everyone laugh. Sheila was a woman of great faith and a lifelong communicant of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Dedham, MA. She was well known throughout the Archdiocese of Boston. She was instrumental for starting the Simon of Cyrene Society which she loved very much.
She led a very active life. She was spokeswoman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and participated in the yearly MDA Telethon. She was an accomplished ventriloquist. She would entertain at family occasions and for many years at summer Bible camp in Onset, MA.
Sheila never let her disability get in the way of her many travels. She visited many places in the US and Europe, with Nancy by her side. She was an inspiration to all she met.
She is survived by her twin sister, Nancy Nolan of Dedham, MA; brothers Steve Nolan and his wife Irene of Amherst, NH; Bill Nolan and his wife Patty of East Bridgewater, MA and sister in law, Nancy Nolan of Severna Park, MD as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her brother Art Nolan of Severna Park, MD
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St. Dedham, Thursday at 10 AM. Funeral Mass in St. Mary Church, Dedham, at 11 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours on Wednesday from 3-8 PM. Interment in New Westwood Cemetery, Westwood. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary Parish 420 High St. Dedham, MA 02026.