Sheila Driscoll Hart O’Connell passed away peacefully on February 19th. Born on January 6, 1939, to Commander Harry P. Hart and Catherine Fox Hart, Sheila was raised in Baldwin, New York alongside her beloved sister, Josephine (deceased).

She attended St. Christopher Parish Elementary School and later Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, New York. Sheila continued her education at the State University of New York College at Cortland and the Katherine Gibbs School in New York City. She loved New York City and cherished her time working there as a secretary. It was during her daily commute that she met her husband, Chris O’Connell (deceased), on the train — a chance meeting that began a lifetime partnership. They were married on September 16, 1961.

Sheila and Chris made their home in Rockville Centre, New York, where they raised their three children: Kerry (and her spouse, Terence), Christopher (and his spouse, Nina), and Matthew. She was the proud and devoted grandmother of Cassidy, Meagan, Jennifer, Julia, and Lauren.

Deeply involved in her community, Sheila served as President of the St. Agnes Elementary Mothers Club and later worked as secretary to the Principal at St. Thomas the Apostle in West Hempstead. She even contributed stories to Soap Opera Digest, reflecting her lifelong love of writing and storytelling.

When Chris’s office relocated, Sheila embraced a new chapter in Dallas, Texas. As always, she quickly became active in her church and community, volunteering at the local food pantry. In retirement, Sheila and Chris settled in Delray Beach, Florida, where she continued her commitment to service as a member of the neighborhood watch patrol.

Throughout her life, Sheila was energetic and engaged. A former lifeguard in her youth, she maintained her love of swimming and swam nearly every day while living in Texas and Florida. She was an avid reader, a devoted football fan with impressive knowledge of the game, and she and Chris enjoyed traveling, participating in a gourmet group, and listening to live music together.

Above all, Sheila was full of life — fun, spirited, and just the right amount of sassy. She was a loyal friend to many and touched countless lives with her warmth and vitality. She will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew her.