Rosemary L. Sheehan

Rosemary L. (Weber) Sheehan, age 80, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 12, 2024, at her home in Walpole, Massachusetts, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on October 28, 1943.   Rosemary was raised in Hellertown, Pennsylvania and graduated from the Saint Francis Academy High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with the class of 1961. After graduation, Rosemary attended the Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Allentown, Pennsylvania then went on to earn her BSN at the University of Maryland.

Rosemary spent her first years a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital in Baltimore, MD.  In 1968, Rosemary's career as a Registered Nurse brought her to Boston, Massachusetts where she accepted a RN position with the Massachusetts General Hospital.

When she was not busy caring for patients at the hospital, Rosemary spent her time outdoors. She loved hiking, being in the mountains or just playing in the waves at the beach.  In 1971, a friend brought her up to the Brettl-Hupfers Ski & Sports Club in Bartlett, New Hampshire.  At the Brettl-Hupfers, she made many friends who shared similar interests, learned to downhill ski, went on numerous trips with the group, and even served on the Board of Directors.  A chance meeting at the club led to wedded bliss, when she met her future husband and the love of her life, Daniel F. Sheehan.  The pair tied the knot on April 26th, 1975, in Boston and continued going to the club together.   

The newlywed couple made their married home briefly in Boston before moving to Mansfield, Massachusetts later in 1975. Rosemary temporarily stepped back from her nursing career to focus on starting a family and could not have been happier when their family expanded to welcome their daughter Susan, and again later to welcome Diane.  With the Brettl-Hupfers not being an ideal location to bring small children, the couple chose to purchase a cabin nearby.   Their Bartlett chalet became the backdrop for weekends and summers for the family.   

In 1986, the family made a move to the charming community of Walpole, Massachusetts. Eventually Rosemary was ready to return to full time work, accepting a position as a Research Coordinator and Educator at Dr. Louis Vignati’s practice at the Faulkner Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

This role sparked Rosemary’s passion for patient education. She earned her Diabetes Educator Certification in 1990 and then transitioned to a full-time role on staff with Faulkner Hospital. Until her retirement in 2004, Rosemary worked to teach individuals, groups, and on-staff nurses about nutrition, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and emotional adjustment to diabetes as a Certified Diabetes Educator with the Nurse Management Team.

While Rosemary’s career was impressive, she would think her biggest achievement was raising her two daughters. Rosemary was a wonderful mother, actively playing with and involved with her girls’ lives.  Both girls considered her their best friend from adolescence through adulthood. She loved having a house full of people and had an instinct for knowing when someone needed extra love.   She was affectionately known as “Mom Sheehan” by her girls’ friends, and it was common to have an extra guest at holidays or weekends in New Hampshire.  

Retirement did not slow Rosemary down one bit. In fact, two short years later, she and Dan used their newly found free time to take a month and a half long journey across the United States, driving up and down and back until they zigzagged their way to Seattle, Washington, leaving the car with one of their daughters and flying back home to the East coast. Rosemary loved to travel and was up for any adventure, whether it was a weekend get away with her best friend Andrea, a trip out across the United States to visit one of her daughters, or an international voyage with the love of her life, Dan. There were no destinations too close or too far for Rosemary.   

When at home, Rosemary volunteered her time at the Walpole Footlighters Theatre, along with her husband Dan.   While Rosemary was most often working shows as an expert usher, she was very often seen at the theater with Dan during the day making curtain ties, holding a ladder, moving furniture, sorting hardware, or the many odd jobs that Dan gave her as they spent time together. She was up for anything.  She enjoyed puttering in the garden and experimenting with new recipes.

In 2011, Rosemary took on another new role, that of a grandmother. Rosemary reveled in being a grandmother, enjoying the perks of watching her little loved ones grow while being the fun grandma. Much like she was with her own children, she was a very loving grandmother who was so proud of her family.

Beloved wife of Daniel F. Sheehan

Loving mother of Susan Marie Sheehan, and her husband Andrew Paul Flanagan, of Bar Harbor, Maine, and Diane Catherine Sheehan Egnatz, and her husband Stephen "Chris" Egnatz, of Bozeman, Montana.

Cherished grandmother of Sierra Josephine Flanagan Sheehan and Eloise Grace Egnatz.

Sister of Robert Weber of Nokesville, VA and the late Frank Weber

Also survived by her lifelong friend and extended family, Andrea Fistner of Walpole.

Daughter of the late John and Josephine "Connie" (Romuszga) Weber.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Rosemary's Life Celebration on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

All are invited to gather in the funeral home on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, at 9:00 AM prior to Rosemary's Memorial Mass that will be celebrated in the Blessed Sacrament Church at 10 Diamond Street in Walpole at 10:00 AM. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Rosemary's name may be made to Alzheimer's Association 309 Waverley Oaks Road Waltham, MA 02452 or by visiting https://www.alz.org/