Chatham – Sheila Drew Nowak, age 82 of Chatham, MA, formerly of Stow and Marlborough, MA, passed away peacefully at Liberty Commons Nursing Home in Chatham Monday, January 24, 2022 after a courageous decades-long battle with Muscular Dystrophy. She was born in Newport, RI, the daughter of Joseph and Mae Drew.
Sheila graduated from Portsmouth High School in New Hampshire in 1957 and later went on to earn an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Fisher College. Sheila had a long and distinguished career in the banking industry retiring as a Bank Officer and Bank Manager at the former Hudson National Bank.
She will be lovingly remembered by Curt, her devoted husband of 62 years and her children, Kevin and his wife Aileen of Fallston, MD; Pamela Linov and her husband Alan of Arlington, MA and her brother Barry Drew and his wife Sonnie of Exeter, NH. She leaves behind two adoring grandchildren, Shayna Linov of Washington, DC and Larsen Linov of Berkeley, CA. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother Robert Drew of San Diego, CA.
During her 25 years in Chatham, Sheila was an active member of the Chatham Newcomers Club, Monomoy Yacht Club, Juliets, and the Garden Club. She often volunteered at the Chatham COA, Meals on Wheels, and at the Chatham Anglers Baseball games.
Sheila will be remembered for her cheerfulness and vibrancy, even while limited with her own challenges. She always made sure that the people around her felt comfortable, happy, and appreciated. Her grandchildren Shayna and Larsen will keep special memories of waking up their Nana in the morning by jumping on her bed, listening to her stories about the family dog Pookie from long ago, and watching her make Mickey Mouse pancakes (sometimes with chocolate chips). Larsen recounts the many times that Nana took him to the grocery store and asked him what his favorite food was so that she could make it. Shayna will fondly remember the day she was invited to join the Christmas Tree Shop Excursion Club with her Mom and Nana, who made regular trips together in search of fun decorations.
Her family would like to thank the staff at Broad Reach Liberty Commons and Broad Reach Hospice for all their help and support. Many thanks to friends and family who came to visit faithfully during her stay at Broad Reach.
As per Sheila’s wishes, there will be no formal service.
If desired, donations in Sheila’s memory may be made to the Friends of the Chatham Council on Aging, 193 Stony Hill Road, Chatham, MA 02633 or Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472.
For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.
