Julia "Sheila" (Lovett) O'Donnell

Visiting hours at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home, 326 Granite Ave., Milton Sunday, March 10th from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Funeral from the funeral home Monday morning March 11th at 8:30am followed by a mass at St.  Gregory Church, Dorchester at 9:30am. Burial will follow mass at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Please make donations in Julia’s memory to Good Shepherd Community Care, 160 Wells Avenue, Newton Ma 02459.

Julia (Lovett) O’Donnell, affectionately known as Sheila to her family and friends, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2024 at home surrounded by the love of her family.

Sheila was born on November 15, 1927 in Dorchester, MA to the late Patrick and Julia (Sullivan) Lovett. She graduated from Dorchester High School in 1945. Sheila married the love of her life, Leo O’Donnell, at Saint Gregory Church in Dorchester and shared 45 years of marriage until his passing in 1997.

Sheila was a Ward Secretary at Carney Hospital where she worked for over 20 years, touching the lives of many with her warmth and kindness.

Sheila was cherished by her children Ellen O’Donnell of Kingston, Mary Montanari and her husband Bill of Carver, Sheila Scherer and her husband Kevin of Dorchester, Ann Hart and her husband Tom of Walpole, Leo O’Donnell and his wife Jen of Kingston, and Stephen O’Donnell and his husband Emanuele Gilioli of Stoughton.

Sheila’s loving sister, Joan Lovett, lived by her side from Dorchester to Braintree where they spent countless days laughing, singing, and puzzle-solving at the kitchen table. She also leaves behind her dear sister and great pal Ann Laflamme, and her loving sister-in-law Rita Lovett. She was preceded in death by her siblings Thomas Lovett and wife Rita; Mary Phelan and husband Arthur; Eileen Lebbossiere and husband Louie; Margaret Losi and husband Joe; Charles Lovett and wife Carol; Daniel Lovett and brother-in-law Jerry Laflamme.

Beloved Nana to Annie O’Donnell, Kaitlyn Labbe and husband Jonathan, Lauren Geehan and husband Jonathan, Christine Hart and partner Dave MacMillan, Tommy Hart, Julia Hart and partner Mike Murphy, and Matthew O’Donnell. She was a beloved great grandmother (“Nana O”) to Emma Labbe, Addison Vieno, and Camden Geehan.

Sheila was also predeceased by her in-laws Charles O’Donnell and wife Lillian, Eugene O’Donnell and wife Mary, Sister Helen O’Donnell CSJ, Marion O’Donnell, and Mary Carey. She is also loved by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Julia’s unwavering love and the many happy memories she created with her family will be treasured forever. Her life was a profound testament to the strength of love, faith, and gratitude, qualities she embodied and expressed daily with everyone she met. While she will be deeply missed by her beloved family, Sheila’s spirit will continue to radiate in the hearts of her loved ones, guiding them with the same love and gratitude she exhibited every day.

The family is immensely grateful to the caregivers from Good Shepherd Community Care, who provided compassionate and loving care to Sheila and her loved ones during a very difficult time.

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