Sheila Joy Friend

Sheila was born in Brookline, Massachusetts on July 4, 1926 to Benjamin and Dora Rolde. Sheila was predeceased by her husband, Martin, after 63 years of marriage.

She is survived by and was a devoted sister to her younger brother, Edward Rolde (wife Jessica) and a loving mother to her three children: Ellen Heller and son-in-law Kalman of Wayland, Linda Friend of Marlborough, and Ross Friend and daughter-in-law Elissa Atlas of Houston. She was loving grandmother to Brian Newhook, Devon Friend, Greg Heller (wife Kim), Steve Heller, Josh Kravitz (wife Lena), and Laura Kravitz. The greatest joys of her life, particularly in her last years, were her great-grandchildren Charlotte and Christine Newhook, Sammi Heller, Gavin Carlton, and Noah and Talia Kravitz. She was surrounded by their pictures and never tired of hearing about them and seeing endless pictures and videos of all their activities.

Sheila always loved being a 4th of July ‘baby”! She grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, attending Weeks Junior High School and Newton High School. She was very close to her cousins and aunts and uncles and spent many summers with the family at Old Orchard Beach in Maine. Sheila graduated from Colby Junior College in Maine and worked as a medical secretary and lab technician for 2 years. She subsequently got married and moved to Fairfield, Connecticut to raise her family. She and Martin moved to Boca Raton, Florida in 1990 and built a wonderful life there.

While Sheila’s children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren were her pride and joy, she always had an active social life and made many good friends. Sheila was an excellent bridge player, playing 6 times a week until moving back to the Boston area at the age of 92. She had a quick mind for numbers, like her father, and was an avid reader, usually reading 2-3 books a week of all kinds.

Sheila’s sense of humor, great smile and love of family will dearly be missed.

The family is so very thankful for the wonderful care provided for her by the Memory Care unit of Maplewood of Weston during her last several months.

A private graveside service will be held on Monday at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, MA.

Donations may be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (www.curealz.org), Care Dimensions (www.CareDimensions.org), or a charity of your choice.