Sheila (Heffernan) McDonough 69 of Ashland, formerly of Needham, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Sheila fully embraced life and nature. She was proudest of her wonderful daughter, Samantha Gilpatrick and her husband Rob (and grand fur-baby, Bear), who were everything to her. Samy was her best friend and remains devoted and loving to her "Mum" always.

Sheila was the daughter of the late Michael A. Heffernan, Sr. and she is survived by her mother, Elizabeth (Betty) Heffernan. She is also survived by her 7 siblings and their spouses, Kathleen of Worcester, Roy and Clare of Cataumet, Betsy and John (Thomson) of Natick, Michael and Karin of Sutton Mills, NH, Teresa Tocci-Brignolo of Norton, Stephen and Patty (Murphy) of Plymouth and Brian and Nancy of Westborough.

Sheila's ability to love everyone and to be present and grateful was extraordinary. Family was the most important part of Sheila's day, and she shared a unique relationship with each sibling and each friend because she really listened to their lives. She reveled in their stories and she found God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit everywhere and in everyone.

The Blessed Trinity was a focal point of her life, sharing her passages from "Jesus Calling" and becoming a communicant at St. Cecilia's in Ashland in order to bring the Holy Eucharistic to her mother, who could no longer attend church services.

If you were lucky enough to meet Sheila, you remembered her...maybe it was her fun outfits and earrings or her amazing long hair, or her cute high heels! Or she may have told you about her love of birds and feathers, especially her favorite hummingbirds who she named as they visited on her veranda. Or it could have been her amazing zest for life and love that she gave freely to all she came in contact with. We will miss her terribly and all her wonderful things. We know she is dancing now.
A "Mum-orial" will be held at Owen O'Leary's, 50 Turnpike Road (Rt.9), Southborough, MA, on Saturday, August 10th from 3 PM - 5 PM for all  who want to visit Samantha, Rob and the family.