Sheila L. (Doyle) Papia, age 74, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 18th at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House after a courageous 17 year battle with breast cancer. Sheila was one of five children and was born on December 17, 1948. She was the daughter of the late John Edward and Cordelia (McCarron) Doyle. Sheila grew up in Allston and was a graduate of Brighton High School.
Sheila was the youngest of her four siblings and had a special bond with each of them. They spent every summer at her mother's birth place and family homestead on Prince Edward Island, Canada. That is where Sheila built a summer home along side of her siblings and enjoyed spending her summers there with her extended family including her sisters, brother, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and childhood friends. The typical "fun" gathering place was always at "Auntie Sheila's cottage.” PEI would forever always be her "happy place" and "home away from home.' Sheila loved life. She loved her family and friends and mostly she loved her son Stephen.
In 1973 Sheila married Steven F. Papia and they lived in Watertown MA. Shortly there after they moved from Watertown to Billerica MA. where she settled and lived for 46 years.
Sheila was employed at American Food Systems in Burlington, MA. This is where she met her "life partner" Mark Arvanitis, and they would have a life filled with love, commitment, joy, laughter, and strength. After American Food Systems Sheila was employed at Patriot Ambulance as the company’s Controller, where she then retired. In her spare time she enjoyed entertaining, going to the beach and especially traveling to Prince Edward Island. She was loyal, honest, quick witted and strong. Sheila fought this disease with all her might and never let it interfere with her life. She always had a positive outlook and never felt sorry for herself or asked "why me". In her final days and weeks, Sheila had a steady stream of family and friends visiting her. During those days, she approached her passing with strength and dignity and thankfulness for having such devoted and loving family and friends.
Sheila is survived by her son Stephen J. Papia of Lowell; her companion, the late Mark Arvanitis of Billerica and his daughter Kristina of Wakefield, along with her daughter Keira; one brother John Doyle (Susan) of West Roxbury; three sisters, Lillian O’Malley (William) of FL and Eileen “Winnie” DeAgazio (Nicholas) of Tyngsboro; and the late Mary Antonellis (Anthony) of Az; many nieces, nephews and friends as well as her beloved dog Xena.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church at a later date.
Donations can be made in Sheila's name to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
