Faith Deane Sheehan

Faith Deane Sheehan’s beautiful life came to a close June 23rd, 2022 in Fairfield, CT, as she was cherished by loved ones near and far. Faith was a loyal, inspirational friend, devoted sister, exceptional Mother, Aunt, Oma, a stellar therapist, a life long learner and generous teacher of grace and surrender along her path of Parkinson's.

Born in 1941 and raised in New Canaan, she attended Notre Dame Academy in Tyngsboro, MA. She excelled academically and socially as VP of her class, participating in drama club, choir, and science fairs.  It was here that she cultivated the skill of building rich rewarding friendships.

At age 20, she married David V Sheehan ll of Cleveland, Ohio and started the adventure of raising three children.  At the same time, she returned to school and secured her Master's in Social Work from the University of Bridgeport.  Her counseling work thrived, and she was most proud of her contribution to a ground-breaking program for adult children of alcoholics. 

After living in Illinois, Washington state, Connecticut, New York, Florida and California, she moved to Europe to fulfill a lifelong dream of travel and to be close to her daughter Sue and young grandsons in Germany. She brought her social work practice to military families and women as they navigated the (treacherous) hardship of domestic violence and addiction. 

She returned to the US, settling in Maine near her daughter Elizabeth, making this her home for 20 years until she retired. She served as Well Suited’s first Executive Director supporting women in transition back into the workforce, and developed the first family and friends program for Crossroads For Women.  She celebrated life across too many family gatherings and rich sustaining friendships to count.

Faith came full circle returning to Connecticut with gratitude where she spent her final years in the care of her son Dave and daughter-in-law Lisa and comfort of family visits from near and far and compassionate staff at Sunrise Community of Fairfield.

She led a life of compassion, curiosity, sparkle, lots of dishware and an enviable closet full of stylish clothes, hats and scarves, bags and jewelry. She was a great source of comfort, a kind harbor, adventurous partner, and impeccable in her self-knowledge and service to others.   

She was deeply beloved and will be forever missed by her children, Sue Sheehan (Peter), Elizabeth Sheehan (Brian) and David lll Sheehan (Lisa); her sister, Sue Kirchner (Bernie); her grandchildren Robin Merl (Cristina), Hannes Merl (Verena) David IV Sheehan (Yiqin), Timothy Sheehan and Zachary Sheehan, Ember Haire (Joel), Bree Haire (Marc); her sisters-in-law Ingrid Deane, Judith Sheehan, Julia Sheehan, Liz Sheehan, Kate Sheehan (Andy) and Julie Keller; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Faith was preceded in death by her mother Loretta Deane; brothers, Jack Deane (Janice Deane) and Peter Deane; brother-in-law Jerry Sheehan; and former husband, David Vincent Sheehan ll.

A celebration of her life is planned for October 23rd in Fairfield, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the two organizations supporting the empowerment of Women and Girls. The Cremation Society of New England has been entrusted with her final arrangements.

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-involved/other-ways-give

https://www.mainewomensfund.org/many-ways-give

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