Sheila Ann (Murray) Manney

Posted

Sheila Ann (Murray) Manney, 85, Johnston, RI on January 25, 2021, passed into eternity to be reunited with John, her loving husband of 57 years. Sheila transitioned peacefully, at home, surrounded by family, just as she had wanted.

Born in 1935 in Providence, she was the second oldest of 6 children born to the late Bernard and Meredith (Blackmar) Murray. Sheila lived most of her life in Johnston, working intermittently at part-time jobs while raising 8 kids before deciding later in life to return to school and become a nurse. A career she truly loved, Sheila worked as a nurse at St. Joseph, Fatima hospital in North Providence until her retirement in 2013. She stayed active until very recently, volunteering her time with the Friends of Mohr Library and Operation Stand Down, both in Johnston, as well as the Manton Bend community garden in Providence, and continuing to work part-time for an eye doctor. She also loved to spend time in her own backyard garden, nurturing a variety of fruit and vegetable plants, and for several years maintaining 2 honeybee hives.

Sheila produced and narrated a segment about volunteerism in Johnston for the PBS series “Our Town”. She enjoyed traveling, boating, reading and almost anything related to nature. She lived her “dash” (read “The Dash” poem by Linda Ellis) on her own terms and as fully and completely as she could. She served a fruitful, productive and impactful life, leaving a positive impression on anyone that knew her.

She leaves behind her 8 adoring children, daughter Michaela Silvia (Michael), and sons J. Patrick (Terri), Matthew (Lisa), David, Terence, Stephen (Shirley), Jonathan (Dawn), and Joseph (Gina), as well as 7 grandchildren (Brian Mercer, Jeremy Greenberg, Leah Lasley, Kira Manney, Ryan Manney, Lauren Manney & Jason Manney) and numerous nieces and nephews. She is survived in this world by her brothers, David Murray of Woonsocket, RI and Michael Murray of Harrisburg, PA, and her sister, Jean Falter of Baltimore, MD. Sheila was preceded in death by her older brother Lawrence Murray and younger brother Peter Murray.

She always endeavored to leave the world a better place than she found it, and hated the thought of anything going to waste (“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”), so in lieu of flowers or cards to the family, she would ask that you offer to serve others in your community, in whatever capacity you are able. Otherwise, donations can be made in her memory to Operation Stand Down, the American Cancer Society or your local library.

Cremation services will be private, however, a memorial celebration of life will be held at a later date.