Sheila J. Bonacci of Milton, MA, died on July 28, 2026, her 85th birthday, in her home surrounded by family after a brief illness with esophageal cancer.

Sheila met Tony, her husband of 59 years, as a teenager at Matignon High School and fostered a lifelong relationship rooted in love of family, delicious food, dear friendship, and adventure. She lived a life of loving, teaching, and nurturing - her family first and foremost, but (with a master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of New Hampshire) also through a 26 year teaching career in the science department at Fontbonne Academy in Milton. During her time at Fontbonne, she taught Introduction to Physical Sciences; Chemistry and Physics, served as the chair of the science department and also as the advisor to the National Honor Society. Sheila was awarded an honor for inspiring excellence and curiosity in students. She inspired many young women to pursue careers in the sciences, which we observed during a recent hospitalization, where she was lovingly cared for by more than one of her former Fontbonne students.

Sheila loved summers on the lake in New Hampshire with Tony, her kids and her grandchildren. Sheila and Tony went on many adventures together over the years, including trips to Ireland and Italy, and their 50th anniversary trip to Monterey with the kids and grandchildren in 2017. Sheila was an avid reader, knitter and quilter. She picked up watercolors and sketching later in her life and for a time enjoyed a daily art practice.

Sheila was a mother to few, but a Mom to many. She is survived by her loving husband and best friend Tony, her sister Pat, and her children Lisa Sullivan, Catie Bonacci, Chris Bonacci and Maria Bonacci, who were present with her at her bedside when she passed - as were their partners Dylan Sullivan, Michael Healey and Liz Moyer, and her granddaughters Abby Healey and Keira Healey. Her grandson Milo was nearby.

In her passing, Sheila joins loved ones who have gone before her, including her parents Madge Harney and Joe Harney, her sisters Anne Harney and Peggy Morrissey, her daughter in law Carrie Bonacci, Tony’s parents Salvatore Bonacci and Santa Bonacci, and her in laws Bud Harlow, Roy Creedon, Frank Maguire, and Leo Morrissey.

We will remember Sheila’s laugh, her “hairy eye ball,” her high fives, the many meals she cooked for us, the songs that remind us of family times together, and the reminders to “not be fresh.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Saint Elizabeth Church, 350 Reedsdale Road, Milton, Saturday, August 8 at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, Friday August 7 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM. Internment in Milton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Fontbonne Academy in honor of Sheila by mail: Fontbonne Academy, Attention: Advancement 930 Brook Road Milton, MA 02186; or online at https://www.fontbonneboston.org/Giving. Please also consider a donation to AWIS: Advancing Women in Science.