Obituary of Sheila J Nickerson

Sheila J. Nickerson, 63, of Belfast, passed away on May 15, 2016. She was born in Oak Park, Illinois on August 14, 1952, the daughter of John and Patricia (McSteen) Finnerty. Sheila grew up first in the Chicago area and then Connecticut before moving to Kailua, Hawaii in high school. She raised her children in Kailua and was a passionate and dedicated Girl Scout leader, board member, and master trainer. A new stack of library books came home every two weeks or so, evidence of Sheila’s passion for reading, inherited from her mother, a teacher and librarian. Sheila was proud of her Irish heritage and made a habit of staying in contact with family near and as far away as Ireland. She enjoyed her detective work in discovering her ancestry and following leads which helped her find family members. Sheila played competitive bridge for many years, eventually achieving the level of Bronze Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League, first in Hawaii and, after retirement, in Maine. She spoke fondly of her partners over the years and delightedly related plays and specifics of exciting bridge hands to her children - despite the fact they never understood a word of it. Sheila utterly loved her dog Zach, enjoyed taking and teaching classes at Senior College, puttering in her garden, antiquing, and keeping current on politics. Spending time with family was Sheila’s greatest passion of all. She loved to travel, especially going on her “sister trips” with Moira and Cathy. She and her daughter Meg often listened to music and shopped together - to them, outlet malls were practically irresistible. She and John frequently visited their daughter Tricia and grandchildren in New Hampshire for holidays and life’s celebrations but also for hockey and lacrosse games, school concerts, or watch Scarlett perform her Irish step dancing. She and John traveled to Jack and Scarlett’s hockey tournaments where Sheila cheered her heart out for her grandchildren. Sheila was a force to be reckoned with and she is missed immensely. Sheila is survived by her husband, John; daughters Tricia Casey with husband Paul and Mary “Meg” Sczepaniak; step-daughter Sherry Nickerson with husband Don Burton; grandchildren Jack and Scarlett Casey; sisters Cathy Diermier with husband Mike and Moira Ireland with husband Jim; step-brother Wes Huff; niece Jennifer Starbuck; aunts Rita Finnerty and Lynnea McSteen; cousins Kay Finnerty, Bill Harrold, Terry Harrold, and Kevin Harrold; other extended family throughout the US and Ireland. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Patrick, and beloved uncles Tom McSteen and Bob Finnerty and aunt Mary Harrold. A funeral mass will take place Friday, July 8, 2016 at Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Belfast, ME at 2pm followed by a celebration of life at the Waldo County Shrine Club, 20 Northport Ave., Belfast. In lieu of flowers, Sheila asked that gifts be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.ripostafh.com.