Sheila M. DiAngelo

Aged 59, peacefully passed onto her heavenly reward on Saturday, July 13, 2013 surrounded by beloved family and friends. Born on July 21, 1953 to Mario DiAngelo Sr. and Catherine Gott DiAngelo, she was bestowed with a first name meaning "of the heavens" and a last name meaning "from the angels." Her name could not have been more fitting as Sheila lived a life worthy of those titles.

A lifetime New Castle resident and devout Catholic, Sheila attended St. Peter's grade school and graduated from St. Peter's High School in 1971. She was a conscientious student and athlete, playing for the girls basketball and softball teams. She was proud to have been a product of the Catholic church and parochial school system and credited her sense of morality, integrity, diligence and unquenchable thirst for knowledge to them. In appreciation and reverence, Sheila gave back to the church in any way she could, including coaching the St. Peter's Girls Basketball and Softball teams for the CYO and by lending her beautiful voice to the St. Peter's Choir.

Instilled with an enviable work ethic, a teenaged Sheila began her career at Holcomb & Salter Insurance Company. She was also employed by the Wilmington Steel Mill, Hercules, Hewlett Packard and for the past 20 years, Agilent Technologies. Sheila was a consummate professional, taking pride in her responsibilities and delivering excellence to all of her co-workers and employers. Over her 40+ year career, Sheila made numerous friends through the workplace, many of whom she considered part of a second family.

Sheila was a diverse person with many interests. She was always "out and about" with loved ones or meeting new people and traveling to distant or exotic destinations. Florida was a perennial favorite for her and her companion, Bill. She loved cruises and visited many ports of call in the Caribbean, Mexico, Honduras and Belize. She greatly enjoyed trips to Europe including Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Croatia, France, and Italy. Sheila had a particular interest in visiting areas of religious importance such as the great churches and cathedrals in each region, the Vatican, the cave on Patmos where John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation and the final home of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus. Sheila was a member of St. Anthony's Club and enjoyed many social events and the bocce matches she played there. One of her favorite things to do was try her luck on the slot machines at local casinos. Sheila had a love for music and dancing, from Andrea Bocelli to Oldies to Country, Sheila loved it all, and if she could dance to it, all the better!

An exceptionally giving person, Sheila was the pillar of support in her family and willingly gave her life to those she loved. The eldest and only girl in a family of six children, Sheila was the "Number 1 Fan" of her brothers. She cheered them on from grade school through high school, attending every school function, football game, and wrestling match. Family was everything to Sheila; every member of her family, every friend she ever made, were forever carried in her heart. She sacrificed much so that those she loved would be safe, cared and provided for. With joy she celebrated every happy occasion, never missing a birthday, wedding, or baby shower; and with love and empathy she offered consolation and encouragement to those who were suffering or experiencing a loss. She was the first person to extend help to anyone in need and was the organizer and problem solver in her family. Her absence has created a void that can never be fully expressed or filled.

Among many loved ones preceding Sheila in death are her mother, Catherine Gott DiAngelo and Sheila's long-time companion, William D. Leach. Surviving are her father, Mario DiAngelo Sr.; brothers, Mario Jr. (Sharon), Anthony (Jill), Joseph, David (Annette), and Mark; Aunts, Helen Vari, Nancy DiAngelo, Loretta Cook (Bob), and Patricia Wilhelm; Uncles, David Gott, and William Gott (Jane). Also left to cherish her memory are Sheila's many cousins, nieces, nephews, life-long friends Janet, Holly, Catherine and Cindy and her very special sister-in-law, Annette, who was Sheila's source of strength and comfort and was everything a sister and best friend could be. Sheila touched innumerous lives, her kindness, generosity and selflessness will be remembered by all who knew her.

Sheila's family wishes to thank Dr. Simpson and staff and also the responding nurses at Christiana Hospital Emergency for their kindness and care during Sheila's illness.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 5th & Harmony Sts., New Castle on Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 11 am. Friends may call at the church Wednesday evening from 6-8 pm. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Loncki Tuition Asst. Fund, or to the Organ Restoration Fund, 521 Harmony Street, New Castle, DE 19720.

Krienen-Griffith
328-9300
www.Delawarefuneral.com