Sheila Ann Sullivan née Reilly passed away Feb. 24, 2024.
She went by many names: Sheila Reilly, mom, sister, aunt She-She, Mighty Guy, friend, and many more.
She is survived by her three sons, Matthew, Brendan and John Sullivan and his fiancée Ann Donohue; her five sisters, Maureen Reilly, Katy Reilly, Colleen Bocchino (Steve), Eileen Bonner (Mike) and Jacklyn Case; her two brothers, Jason McFadden and Jeffrey McFadden; and her beloved nieces and nephews, family, friends. and community. They were her whole world.
Sheila was born June 28, 1958, in Newark to Thomas Reilly and Eileen Noonan and raised in a tight-knit home in Union. Sheila’s family spent summers down the Jersey Shore where she made lifelong connections, eventually settling in Avon-by-the-Sea for over 35 years.
Sheila was a graduate of Union High School and Ramapo College. She traveled the world, built a beautiful home, and served the town she loved as the construction and planning board secretary and administrative assistant. An avid reader, Sheila met monthly for the past 30 years with her dear friends to discuss and critique novels in their book club; the books equally as important as the time spent together.
Everyone who met Sheila knew her as a loving, caring, passionate and empathetic individual who was deeply considerate of others. Sheila experienced life with a warmth that was incredibly infectious; she lit up a room and left individuals feeling more appreciated and seen than before she came. Sheila had a desire for all aspects of life – from books to movies and dips in the sea to sailing and biking, from museum trips to vacations, from comfy pajamas to elegant dresses and eclectic jewelry. Whether it was eating at home or out at her favorite restaurants with friends and family, Sheila cherished every moment.
Sheila embodied unconditional love, seeing the best in everyone with respect for those around her, no matter the depth of the relationship. Sheila lived many lives despite only having one, and everyone who was familiar with her knew Sheila would have had numerous more experiences and love to give, even if she had only one extra day on Earth. Whether enjoying a stroll on the boardwalk, laughing with friends, dressing in style, being kind, finding a new favorite trinket, or simply valuing life, you can know Sheila is there with you, too. Sheila was the best of them and won’t be soon forgotten.
Visitation was March 1 at Reilly Bonner Funeral Home, Belmar. A funeral Mass was celebrated on March 2 at St. Elizabeth’s Church, Avon. Committal was private.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Avon First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 3, Avon NJ 07717 or the Avon Fire Department, P.O. Box 202, would be greatly appreciated.
This article originally appeared in the March 7 – 13, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
