Northborough – In the early hours of Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Sheila M. Brooks, 58, peacefully transitioned from this life after a valiant battle against cancer. At the time of her passing, Sheila was supported by the love of her family.
Sheila was born and raised in Winchester, MA, a daughter to the late Stephen K. and Delia P. (Clancy) Connolly. Growing up, she would spend summers on her maternal Grandmother’s farm in Galway Ireland and visiting her paternal Grandmother on Inisheer, where she cemented her connection with her Irish roots. She also has many great memories at her family house on Newfound Lake and endless days with her cousins in West Roxbury.
Sheila was a 1983 graduate of Winchester H.S. where she excelled in athletics, most especially track and field hockey. Sheila continued her studies at Franklin Pierce College, earning her BA in Accounting. During college, Sheila continued in athletics, playing both field hockey and soccer for Franklin Pierce. Throughout her professional career, Sheila worked most recently as a Director of Business Applications. Sheila was on the board of Women in Construction in Boston and helped empower women to achieve great things in the historically male-dominated construction industry. Sheila worked at a number of other well known companies such as Talbots where she was the Manager of Financial Systems. If asked, her favorite “job” was that of a mom to her two beloved sons. She looked forward to following their many activities during the younger years and was proud of the adults they have become. Sheila loved the ocean and enjoyed summering on Cape Cod, most especially in New Seabury and Chatham. She had a lifelong passion for fitness and relished any chance to socialize with friends.
Sheila, in typical fashion, used the challenge of her disease to do good for others. She inspired an amazing group of friends to hold two very successful fundraisers for the Ellie Fund which she had great passion for. The Ellie fund helps women and their families from all walks of life with the challenges that breast cancer presents in things such as getting to treatments as well as coping with day-to-day needs. Sheila also did previous philanthropic work with Make a Wish, Cradles to Crayons and Special Olympics.
Sheila is survived by her husband of 32 years, Andrew Brooks; their two sons, Cameron Brooks and his fiancée Jennifer DeMille and Cole Brooks, all who reside in Northborough. Sheila also leaves her two brothers, Thomas Connolly and his wife Laurie of Wilmington and James Connolly of Woburn. A sister, Mary Cabral, passed away in 2016.
Visiting hours will be held between 6-8pm on Thursday, June 6, at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 7, at 11am, in Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 244 W. Main Street, Northborough. Burial will follow in Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough.
Sheila’s family respectfully request memorial donations be directed to The Ellie Fund, (https://www.elliefund.org) to assist those impacted by breast cancer.
To leave a condolence or kind word of support for her family, please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.
