NORWICH – Sheila Duffy McKilligan, 69, of Hayes Street, Norwich, died after a 20-year battle with breast cancer on Nov. 17, 2007, at her home, with her children.
Born in Ruislip, England, in October of 1938, Sheila was the daughter of Joseph and Annie Byrom Duffy. She was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, London, and graduated from the University of Bristol, England, in 1959, with BA (Hons) in French. She graduated in 1995 with a Masters in Library Science from Syracuse University. Sheila came to the United States in 1963 and taught French at Sidney High School, Manhasset High School, Cooperstown High School, and Sullivan County Community College. She worked at Bendix, Sidney, in labor relations from 1980 to 1982, and then enjoyed a second career in Simmonds Precision, Norwich, from 1983 to 2000, supervising the engineering documentation and records department. She retired in 2000 from Unison, and continued to enjoy life although slowed down by declining health. She remained busy in retirement by working as weekend reference librarian at the Morrisville State College Library, and at the Anderson Consulting Group in Norwich.
As soon as Sheila arrived in Sidney in 1963, she became active in the Tri-Town Theatre, appearing in their opening production. She has acted in many plays with that group, was on their Board of Directors for many years, and also directed productions. She acted in a Long Island group, and for two summers at the Cooperstown Duke’s Oak Summer Theatre and also in Oneonta with Orpheus Theatre. She was on the Board of Directors of the Chenango County Council of the Arts, and for several years was on the Board of the Upstate Chapter of Special Libraries Association. Sheila enjoyed singing in St. Paul’s Choir, attended regularly the Grahams’ wine tasting group, and the Professional Women’s Network. Sheila’s interest in and knowledge of French took her frequently to Europe; she also visited family often in England. Her family history research in recent years discovered several cousins in Utah, Florida, and Canada.
In 1966, Sheila married Charles McKilligan. They lived from 1966 on the Martin Brook Road, Unadilla. The marriage ended in divorce in 1982. Sheila moved to Norwich in 1985. She is survived by her son, Charles, of Alexandria, Va., and her daughter, Anne, of Brooklyn. Her greatest joy in life was being blessed with her children and raising them. She is survived in England by her brothers: Joseph and Elizabeth Duffy, John and Claire Duffy, Peter and Rita Duffy; and her sister, Maureen and John Stephenson; her twelve nephews and nieces, and their families, and friends in France, England, Italy, and the USA.
A memorial Mass for Sheila will be held at St. Paul’s Church at noon on Tuesday. Calling hours will be in the Church’s Chapel beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Paul’s Church Choir, 30 Pleasant St., Norwich, NY 13815; or Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.