Sheila A. Bouchard

Sheila, affectionately referred to as “Yaya” by many, was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on September 1, 1936 and was adopted by Jerome and Ellen Gaven. She graduated from Saint Aloysius School in Caldwell, New Jersey, where she was the May Queen, and went on to receive a nursing degree in 1955 from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She worked on the surgical floor at Georgetown Hospital, then at a family practice for many years. She married Joseph Emile Bouchard (former area news editor and longtime paperman) on November 11th, 1961. They celebrated 33 years of marriage before his untimely passing in 1994.

Mrs. Bouchard was a pillar of her Ravensworth Farm community, where she was one of the final original homeowners in the neighborhood. Her open door policy was embraced by generations of family and friends in need of medical advice, a snack, or simply a chat. When the acting neighborhood nurse was off duty, she could be found sunbathing in Ocean City, Maryland, attending Red Hat Club meetings, or playing dominos.

Sheila was preceded in death by her husband Joseph, her parents Jerome and Ellen, as well as her birth mother Mary Boyle and birth siblings Eleanor, Sharon, and Terence.

Sheila is survived by children Mike and Linda Bouchard, Jerry and Rose Bouchard, Megan and Aldo Ramirez, and Kelly and Andy Chasin, grandchildren Joey and Jenna Bouchard, Carly Bouchard, Mary Claire Hollinger, Sam Chasin, and Tori Chasin, and great-grandchild Rex Bouchard. Through DNA technology, she discovered her birth family and developed a close-knit relationship with them. Sheila was the oldest of seven siblings: Eleanor, Sharon, Terence, Brendan "Buddy", Mary Jane, and Patricia.

She was so loved and will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the INOVA Schar Cancer Institute: https://join.inova.org/cancerservices

Sheila’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to her doctors and nurses, especially Dr. Currall, and Capital Caring for their support.

A visitation for Sheila will be held Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151. A mass of christian burial will occur Monday, April 29, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 3901 Woodburn Rd, Annandale, VA 22003. A graveside service will occur Monday, April 29, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20906.