BELFAST — Sheila J. Nickerson, 63, of Belfast, passed away on May 15, 2016. She was born in Oak Park, Ill., on Aug. 14, 1952, the daughter of John and Patricia (McSteen) Finnerty. Sheila grew up first in the Chicago area and then Connecticut before moving to Kailua, Hawaii, in high school.

She raised her children in Kailua and was a passionate and dedicated Girl Scout leader, board member and master trainer. A new stack of library books came home every two weeks or so, evidence of Sheila's passion for reading, inherited from her mother, a teacher and librarian. Sheila was proud of her Irish heritage and made a habit of staying in contact with family near, and as far away as Ireland. She enjoyed her detective work in discovering her ancestry and following leads, which helped her find family members.

Sheila played competitive bridge for many years, eventually achieving the level of Bronze Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League, first in Hawaii and, after retirement, in Maine. She spoke fondly of her partners over the years and delightedly related plays and specifics of exciting bridge hands to her children - despite the fact they never understood a word of it.

Sheila utterly loved her dog, Zach, enjoyed taking and teaching classes at Senior College, puttering in her garden, antiquing and keeping current on politics.

Spending time with family was Sheila's greatest passion of all. She loved to travel, especially going on her "sister trips" with Moira and Cathy. She and her daughter, Meg, often listened to music and shopped together — to them, outlet malls were practically irresistible. She and John frequently visited their daughter, Tricia, and grandchildren in New Hampshire for holidays and life's celebrations, but also for hockey and lacrosse games, school concerts or to watch Scarlett perform her Irish step dancing. She and John traveled to Jack and Scarlett's hockey tournaments, where Sheila cheered her heart out for her grandchildren. Sheila was a force to be reckoned with and she is missed immensely.

Sheila is survived by her husband, John; her daughters, Tricia Casey and her husband, Paul, and Mary "Meg" Sczepaniak; her stepdaughter, Sherry Nickerson and her husband, Don Burton; her grandchildren, Jack and Scarlett Casey; her sisters, Cathy Diermier and her husband, Mike, and Moira Ireland and her husband, Jim; her stepbrother, Wes Huff; her niece, Jennifer Starbuck; her aunts, Rita Finnerty and Lynnea McSteen; her cousins, Kay Finnerty, Bill Harrold, Terry Harrold and Kevin Harrold; and other extended family throughout the U.S. and Ireland.

She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Patrick; her beloved uncles, Tom McSteen and Bob Finnerty; and her aunt, Mary Harrold.

A funeral mass will take place Friday, July 8, at 2 p.m. at Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Belfast, followed by a celebration of life at the Waldo County Shrine Club, 20 Northport Ave. in Belfast.

In lieu of flowers, Sheila asked that gifts be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home.