Sheilamae M. Cole

Sheilamae M. (Marchessault) Cole, 86, of Ware, MA, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on April 4, 2025. She was born in Ware on December 19, 1938, to Victor and Olivine (Sharkey) Marchessault.

She dedicated her career to serving others, working as a residential educator at Belchertown State School for 20 years and later at Monson Developmental Center,  where she retired after another 20 years of service. She was a lifelong resident of Ware and a devoted communicant of St. Francis Church.

Sheilamae had a passion for crafting, playing pitch, camping, and ceramics. However, above all, she cherished spending time with her family, always bringing joy and love to those around her.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Rodney A. Cole; her son, Rodney V. Cole; her granddaughter, Kelly Hinckley; and seven siblings.

Sheilamae is survived by her three daughters, Tamalie Cole-Poklewski and her husband David of Belchertown, Lynn Cowles of Ware, and Desiree Choquette and her husband Daniel of Ware; seven grandchildren, Thomas, Michael, Daniel, Matthew, Meghan, Andrew, and Joshua; and four great-grandchildren, Natalie, Olivia, Hunter, and William. She is also survived by her siblings, Eunice Davies and Ralph Marchessault, both of Ware.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Church in Belchertown on April 15th, 2025, at 12:30pm, with a visitation at 11:00am-12:00pm prior to the Mass at Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. Interment will follow at South Cemetery in Belchertown.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Francis Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 612 Belchertown, MA 01007

Sheilamae will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew her, and her memory will live on in the hearts of those she touched.