Joan M. Sheehy

Newton – Mrs. Joan M. (Welch) Sheehy, a lifelong resident of Newton, died Saturday, August 6, 2016 in Wingate at Weston. She was 84.

Joan was born at home in Newton on September 14, 1931, a daughter of the late Daniel and Mary (Herlihy) Welch. Raised and educated in Newton she was a graduate of the former Our Lady's High School and earned her nursing degree from Saint Margaret's Hospital Nursing School in Dorchester. She was married to James E. Sheehy until his death on January 6, 2006.

She worked as a registered nurse beginning her career in the nursery at Saint Margaret's Hospital and then at the Visiting Nurse's Association in Newton, Cambridge Health Department, John Hancock, Dutchess Altenheim Nursing Home in West Roxbury and lastly as a school nurse for the City of Boston School Department for over 29 years before retiring in 2007.

She was a longtime den mother for the girl scouts and an active member of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Newton. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, cooking and baking as well as ceramics.

In addition to her husband, James, she was predeceased by her siblings, Daniel and Gerard Welch, Mary McMillen and Alice Patterson.

She leaves her daughter, Julie M. Greenbaum and her husband, Michael of Newton; her step-children James M. Sheehy and his wife, Diane of Center Ossipee, New Hampshire, Robert P. Sheehy of Stamford, Connecticut and Patricia A. Sheehy of Middletown, Connecticut; her grandchildren, Alex Frail, Isabella and Douglas Greenbaum, Lee Sheehy and Jamie Lynn Sheehy; her sister, of Rita Sheehy of Newton and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joan's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, August 10th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington Street, Newton where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Needham.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.