Sheila Marion O’Hara

Sheila Marion O’Hara, 62, of Framingham, MA, passed away at her beloved home surrounded by loving family on August 6th, 2025.

Sheila M. O’Hara was born to Thomas L. O’Hara, Jr. and Maureen P. (McElhinney) O’Hara in Needham, Massachusetts. As the sixth of seven children, she had to fight every step of the way to be able to do what her older brothers and sisters were doing. That drive remained at the very core of her being and in how she lived her life.

Sheila is survived by her beloved siblings, Kathleen O’Hara, Tom O’Hara, Kevin O’Hara and wife Elizabeth, Patricia Rice, and husband Barry Joe as well as her sister-in-law Cindy O’Hara Rinaldi. Cherished aunt of Sean O’Hara, Padraig O’Hara, Mairead O’Hara, Catharine Natterman and husband Daniel, David O’Hara and wife Morgan, Elizabeth Bralower and husband Paul, Daniel Clark and wife Clare and Stephen Clark and wife Melissa. Adored great-aunt of Jack and Ella Natterman, Nora, Eamon and Malcolm O’Hara, Mia, James and Tommy Bralower, and Henry, Louisa, and Daphne Clark. In addition, she leaves behind many wonderful and supportive cousins, aunts and uncles.

Sheila was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Maureen, her sister Erin O’Hara, her brother Brian O’Hara, and her niece Brighid O’Hara.

There are so many amazing attributes about Sheila that we will remember especially her electric blue eyes, radiant smile and her great infectious belly laugh. She had a marvelous sense of humor and just enjoyed living life and having fun. She was kind, generous and charitable to the many causes she believed in including support for animals, military veterans, law enforcement, St Jude’s cancer research, and special Olympics to name a few. She was an adventurer and had traveled to many parts of this country, Canada, Europe, Africa, India, and Costa Rica: her journeys had only just begun…

She was a natural born athlete, and without training she could excel at any sport. Skiing, especially was her passion, as well as teaching her nieces and nephews how to be the best at any activity that they tried. She still enjoyed playing floor hockey with many of her friends. She won many athletic awards for soft ball and field hockey, including scoring the winning goal for the 1980 Massachusetts State Championships in Field Hockey.

Spending time with family was one of Sheila’s greatest joys. When she wasn’t with her family, she built cherished relationships with friends, neighbors and colleagues. She loved her home, her garden, her ROCKS, her music, her beloved New England Patriots, and her Irish heritage. She had an appreciation for the ocean, mountains, beaches, lakes and any outdoor related sports. She loved all animals, none more than her cats Leo and Penny.

The great pride and joy in Sheila’s life was her job as a Special Agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Not only did she love her job, she excelled at it and dedicated her life to it. Due to the nature of her job, she couldn’t speak much about her day to day, but we are touched by the incredible show of respect, friendship, love and support from her colleagues. Because of this we know what a difference her career made.

Sheila was the heart and soul of our family, and her presence will surely be missed. She made an indelible mark on this world and all of our lives are better having had her in it. May she finally rest and be at peace. Saddle up, we love you!

A Celebration of Sheila’s Life is planned on October 11th, 2025, at Sheila’s home, 16 Brigati Terrace, Framingham, Massachusetts, 01701 starting at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sheila’s name to any place that supports animals and their well-being, or to Dana Farber Cancer Institute for pancreatic cancer research.