Janet Sheil

Janet (Voghel) Sheil 96, of West Springfield passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 5,2023. She was born in New Bedford, MA on May 18,1927 to the late Maria (Cote) and Hilaire Voghel. She was a graduate of Waterbury Catholic High. Mom was a devout Catholic and had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. She was a Eucharistic minister and a member of the Women’s Club rosary group. Her family was her greatest blessing. Mom raised 13 children with amazing grace. She was incredibly organized to ensure daily life ran smoothly. As the years went on, you could find mom volunteering at the St. Thomas library or enjoying playground duty at the school. She had a kind and gentle way with a quick wit, often turning a “challenging situation “into smiles and laughter. We never heard her say a bad word about anyone. Her lessons and love will forever be in our hearts. She was the beloved wife of James A. Sheil, who passed in 2000, loving mother of Peter (Ellen), Rachel Lacombe, Marianne Britt (Vin), Jim (Karen), Patrice Afflitto (Michael), John (Christine), Kathryn Sady (Ed), Regina Graydon (Noel), Christopher (Diane), Colleen DeVita (Andrew), Margaret Cecchetelli (Tedd), Michael (Debbie), Jeanne Marie Phaneuf (Paul), devoted grandmother of 43 and great grandmother of 33. She also leaves several nieces and nephews. Janet was predeceased by her grandson Matthew Joseph DeVita, her daughter-in-law Donna Sheil, her son-in-law Francis Lacombe and her three siblings; Laurent and Adrian Voghel and Margaret Desnoyers. Janet’s family wishes to extend their appreciation to Janet’s caregivers for the care and love they shared with our mom. There will be a Celebration of Life Mass at 11:00am, Wednesday (11/15) at St. Thomas Church in West Springfield. The burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery. Toomey O’ Brien Funeral Home has been entrusted with all the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in Janet’s name may be made to the St. Thomas School Development Fund, 75 Pine Street, West Springfield, MA 01089.