Julia Sheileen Sapelli

Julia “Sheileen” E. Sapelli, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. Born in Springfield she was a daughter to Matthew and Alice (Miles) Ryan. She was a graduate of Springfield Technical High School and Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing, an adjunct of Brown University and she became a Registered Nurse. Sheileen worked as an R.N. for many years at Wesson Women’s Hospital Neonatal ICU and was a school nurse for the Agawam School System. She was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Springfield. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, cooking, crosswords puzzles and was a voracious reader. Sheileen enjoyed traveling with her husband Eugene A. Sapelli, Jr., with whom she was married for 45 years. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her beloved family. 
Sheileen was predeceased by her loving husband Eugene who passed away in 1995. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her six caring children: Linda  Gorham and her husband William of Wilbraham,  Eugene “Duff” Sapelli, III of Agawam, William Sapelli and Deb of Agawam, Albert Sapelli and his wife Jan of Feeding Hills, John Sapelli and his wife Diane of West Springfield, and Sheileen Talbot of Westerly RI; her eleven cherished grandchildren: Ian, Delanie, D.J., Michael, Laura, Anthony, Jaclyne, Krista, John, Kara and Julia; and her great-grandchildren: Savannah, Camilla, Daisy,  Nora and Joanna. Besides her husband and parents, Sheileen was predeceased by her brothers Francis and Matthew Ryan and her sister Alice Ahern.
To celebrate Sheileen’s life, visiting hours will be on Thursday, June 25, 2020 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Colonial Forastiere Funeral & Cremation on 985 Main Street in Agawam. We know that Sheileen and her family are loved and your support is appreciated. In order for the family to greet all guests, please follow the guidelines of social distancing, limit your time with the family, and wear facemasks. We appreciate your patience. Due to the current capacity restrictions, Sheileen’s Liturgy of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Springfield will be private on Friday. Her burial will take place in Agawam Center Cemetery. Donations may be made in Sheileen’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Attn: Memorials & Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105. To share an online message to the family, please visit www.forastiere.com.