SHEILA A. (MITCHELL) ENGDAHL, 60, of Hull, formerly a Hingham resident for many years, passed from our lives on Sept. 23rd, 2009. She was born in Framingham to Michael Mitchell and Aileen (Sullivan) Mitchell on Aug. 8th, 1949. She attended St. Stephen's Parochial School and Marian High School in Framingham where she forged friendships with Cindy (MacDonald) Walsh and Tom Walsh that have remained steadfast ever since. Once Sheila met you, you became a friend for life. She raised not only her own children, but was a mother figure to the children of all her friends. Never content to just live next door to neighbors, she soon became the regular hostess of neighborhood gatherings which continue to this day to be referred to as the "Downing Street Crowd" despite numerous relocations. After raising her children, she returned to U. Mass. Boston to complete her bachelor's degree and worked in Boston for Learning Network, Strategies for Children and most recently as managing director of The Boston Business Roundtable. She not only integrated all of her new business associates into her network of friends but also became a frequent hostess for a group of commuters she met on the Hingham to Boston boat - fondly referred to as "The Boat People." During her battle with ALS, she displayed her steadfast optimism and strong will to live every day to its fullest. Her home continued to be filled with family and friends every day and every night. She became a regular blogger on "Patients Like Us" and was highlighted in an interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta on the Katie Couric Show. She is the namesake of "Team Sheila" organized by her son Eric that has raised nearly $ 80,000 for ALS research.
Sheila was the mother of Eric Engdahl of Boston and Sarah Brennan and her husband Kevin of Brockton. Grandmother of Reese and Megan Brennan also of Brockton. Sister of Mary Ellen Mori and her husband Richard of Framingham and Roger Mitchell and his wife Lynne O’Brien of Carrboro, NC. She was the former wife of the late George E. Engdahl, Jr. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral Tuesday, Sept. 29th at 9 AM from the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond St., Hingham followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Paul's Church, 147 North St., Hingham Square at 10 AM.
Friends may visit at the Downing Chapel, on Monday from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to ALS/TDI, 215 First St., 2nd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142 (als.net). The interment is private.