Donna S. Sheehan

Lynnfield - Donna S. Sheehan, (St. Pierre), 67, of Lynnfield, died on Saturday, March 27, at her home surrounded by her loving family after a year and a half long battle with ALS.

Donna was born on June 5, 1953, in Salem, Mass., and was the daughter of the late Edgar and Florence (Michaud) St. Pierre. Donna and her siblings grew up in Salem surrounded by loving aunts, uncles and cousins. She graduated from Salem High School in 1971.

After high school, Donna began what would become a lifelong career in the footwear industry. In her formative career years, she worked as a style and trend researcher, which allowed her to begin to travel the world; her first major trip being to Italy. Further in her career, she was a marketing and sales professional in Boston's leather district where she would meet and work with her future husband, James (Jim) Sheehan. In 1992, they would begin their own business, Sheehan Sales Associates, Inc. where they successfully trademarked and patented textiles that are used in performance products for the footwear industry.

Donna and Jim raised their family of seven in Lynnfield where they had an open-door for anyone looking for a laugh, meal or bed. She hosted countless gatherings for family and friends, and in later years, her beloved Irish set-dancing friends. She traveled the world with her closest friends and family including many trips to Ireland, where Jim has family roots. Donna taught her family to live and love—gather, eat, drink, sing, dance, laugh—every moment. Sleep, she would say, "Is overrated." She valued family above all else.
Donna was married to her beloved husband Jim Sheehan in 1981. She is survived by her daughter Kerry A. Connelly and her husband John of Peabody, Monica Sullivan and her husband James of Amesbury, Michael P. Sheehan and his wife Kathryn of Rowley, Christopher Sheehan and his wife Juliana of Brazil, Patrick J. Sheehan and his wife Brenna of Topsfield, Kathleen M. Simione and her husband Joseph of Lynnfield, and Ryan C. Sheehan and his wife Amanda of Lynnfield. She was the sister of Kenneth St. Pierre and his wife Kris of Florida, Conrad St. Pierre of Leominster, Keith St. Pierre of N.H., and the late Donald St. Pierre, Richard St. Pierre, and Violet Bermudez. She was the cherished Nana of Daniel and Timothy Connelly, Sam, Will and Owen Sullivan, Bridget Sheehan, Emilia and Theodore Sheehan, and Victoria and Abigail Sheehan. She was a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews, a special cousin to several members on both her St. Pierre side and the Walsh/Sheehan side of the family.



Her funeral service will be celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield, MA 01880, on Thursday, at 11 a.m. Arrangements are in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield, MA 01880.

During her ALS illness, the family was greatly supported by Compassionate Care ALS, a local, Falmouth-based organization that provides ALS patients and their families with support, resources and guidance. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a Donation to CCALS, PO 1052 W Falmouth Hwy, Falmouth, MA 02574, or visit www.ccals.org.