Sheila (O'Neill) Kawecki of Jericho passed away unexpectedly at home Friday, August 4, 2017 at the age of 66. She was born May 30, 1951 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the daughter of John O'Neill and Christine Claus. Sheila grew up with her mother, with the support of her aunt and uncle. In high school, Sheila's love of people naturally led her to volunteer, becoming a member of the exchange club and the Girls' Patrol, a club responsible for upholding her high school's traditions. She graduated with the hopes of becoming a physical therapist, working with disabled children. Fate had other plans, as she fell in love with Stanley Kawecki and was married in Springfield, Massachusetts on August 2, 1975, the hottest day in Springfield's recorded history (as she would be the first to tell you). Marrying a Navy man, Sheila would later joke that she dreamed she would become a globe-trotter, travelling across the entire planet. She soon became acclimated and found the joy in travelling back and forth across this nation many times over. She gave birth to her first child in Adak, Alaska, a small island on the western tip of the Aleutian Islands. Five years and 2 moves later, her second child was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Sheila's newly expanded family then traveled across country once more making a 12 year stop in Virginia Beach, Virginia where she found work as a bank teller. Sheila’s family finally put down roots in Chittenden County, Vermont in 1998. After settling in to Vermont life, Sheila started a temp job at Merchant's Bank in 1999 and was soon hired full-time, where she worked for over 18 years. Sheila thoroughly enjoyed nearly all things comedy. Her love of movies would play a large part of her life, as she was known for quoting her favorite movies from beginning to end. Her interests also included mystery novels, forensic and documentary TV shows, games (card, board, and computer), music of all kinds, shopping (especially for shoes), and of course, chocolate. Her love of animals (with the exception of bugs, mice, and snakes) led her family to adopt many, many rescue pets over the years. Sheila is survived by her husband, Stan (71); her children: Andrew (39) and Laura Kawecki (34); and her grandchildren: Cole (8) and Callie (2). Visitation hours will be Sunday August 20th, 2017 from 2pm to 5pm at A.W. Rich Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Essex Junction. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society of Chittenden County. The family will be holding a private burial ceremony at a later date.