SANFORD — Sheila Marie (Ryan) Vieira, of Cambridge/Wilmington, Massachusetts, was called home to heaven, joining family and friends who have passed on before her, on Sept. 3, 2015.

Although premature for those who Sheila has left behind, great comfort is found in the passage of scripture which Sheila treasured.

There is no better word to describe the legacy that Sheila leaves behind than “charity.” Sheila was biologically the mother of three wonderful daughters, Ashley, Shaina and Marissa, but the charity in Sheila’s soul made her a mother to scores and scores of other “children,” including three nephews, Joseph Vieira Jr., Paul Vieira Jr. and Robert Ryan Jr., her brothers, Robert and Dennis Ryan, and her sons-in-law, who cherished her dearly: James Malloy, Matthew Eng, Carlton Young, Timothy Scalley, Carlos Morales, Chuck Timmins and Steve Malloy.

Sheila’s ability to give selflessly did not cease once her children were raised. She continued to be a true example of charity as she played a very important part in the raising of her grandchildren, Maleia, 12, Anthony, 11, Jayden, 7, Izaiah, 4, and Jordan, 3. Sheila slipped into this role naturally, as she was born with a gift to nurture and love without conditions. There is no better quality that a child can ask for than to be loved without conditions, and Sheila’s legacy will live on through her children and grandchildren, as they truly learned from the best!

Sheila graduated with the Class of 1977 from Wilmington High School in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Sheila met her beloved Anthony (Tony) Vieira when she was 13 years old in Wilmington and never sought after another. They celebrated a life and legacy of 40 years together, and celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on April 12, 2015.

On Aug. 24, 2015, Sheila collapsed at home. We live in an era in which a touch of a button will yield practically any answer that we seek. Sadly, there is no button to touch that will produce an answer for this event. Sheila was hospitalized at Maine Medical Center and remained on life-support for 10 days before she took flight to her final destination.

Although the finality of goodbye is tragic for the family, the outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming, and they are sincerely grateful. She was the Matriarch of the family!

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Holy Spirit Parish, St. Mary’s Church, 236 Eldridge Road, in Wells.

To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.autumngreenfuneralhome.com.

The Autumn Green Funeral Home is respectfully handling arrangements.