Oakes, Sheila Katherine (Crowley)
School.
Sheila was very active in the East Hampton community. She was past president of the St. Patrick's Church Guild and past president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Ladies Auxiliary. Her church provided much comfort and strength, She was eucharist minister for over 30 years at St. Patrick and 5 years at Our Lady of Light, Ft. Myers, FL. She volunteered many hours at the church including helping to organize the tag sale and running t he coffee t able at t he f i sh f r y.
Sheila and her husband Russ spent over 10 years leading the East Hampton 3rd Ct. Regiment of Fifes and Drums. They traveled throughout New England attending musters, marching i n parades and embarrassing t heir children.
Sheila was a charter member of the Old Home Day Committee and served for over 30 years. She was t wo term Old Home Day president. Her most i mpressive accomplishment was as the founder and race director of t he “best r oad race i n all t he l and” f or 20 years, The Glorious Gallop 5k Road race. Old Home Day, or as we l i ked t o call it “Oakes Christmas” was the highlight of her year.
Sheila was an avid runner throughout her life and completed five ½ marathons, the New York City Marathon and the Ocean State Marathon in 1996 at the age of 60. She has passed on her love of running to her children. Besides running, Sheila loved to golf with her sons and usually beat them.
Sheila was an avid quilter, making personalized quilts for her children and grandchildren. A l i f e l ong l earner, she l earned stain glass making, playing t he guitar, needle point, crocheting and knitting. Sheila l oved words. She always had a crossword puzzle folded over, cryptogram half done and a book at hand. Solving word puzzles was her forte! ( see Reader's Digest August 1995 pg 124, where she was quoted on her dislike of t he word “f orte”) .
A lifelong member of Red Sox nation, the peak of her fandom came when she was able to attend Game 2 of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park with her sons Timothy & Daniel. The Sox went on to win the series. GO SOX!
Sheila was fiercely l oyal to her family both i mmediate and extended. Her cousins were i nnumerable but she knew and loved them all. One of her favorite days was the annual Crowley- Sweeney 4th of July picnic on Long Hill Rd. aka Cousin Hill. Denise Painter was not only her cousin but her closest friend. They shared many adventures and daiquiris together in East Hampton and while spending winters in Fort Myers, FL at Woodsmoke Camping Resort.
Sheila was a amazing mother, who put her whole heart and soul i nto raising her 6 children who she leaves behind : Russell F Oakes of Tetonia, ID, Maggie Oakes Joyce and her husband David of Fairfield, CT, Timothy Fulford Oakes and his wife Pamela Wall Oakes of Chelmsford, MA, Daniel Taylor Oakes of Killington, VT, Jonathan Lovell Oakes and his wife Amphy of Hood River, OR and David Patrick Oakes (her baby boy) and his wife Angie of Moodus, CT. Sheila taught her children through example the value of family, hard work and l aughter. Her effort paid off as none are currently incarcerated and pay their taxes on time, mostly.
Her greatest j oy i n l i f e were her grandchildren: Fiona, Finn, Owen, Sarah, Samuel, Lily, Teaghan, Gavin, Declan and Connor. Whether it was babysitting for Declan and Connor, ri ding i n t he school bus with Sarah, Lil y, Sam, Finn, Gavin & Teaghan t o t he start of the Glorious Gallop, attending one of Owen's baseball games, watching the Old Home Day parade under the tree together or getting a tour of Fiona's f i r st apartment on Facetime, Sheila's heart was f i l l ed with l ove and happiness. They could do no wrong in her eyes.
Her devotion to God, family and country was unmatched. Her favorite color was red, white and blue. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to “Flags Over East Hampton”.
During this difficult year remember the good i n the world, be kind to each other and hug your mother if you can. Slainte and Love always.
Friends may call at the Spencer Funeral Home 112 Main St. East Hampton on Tuesday Dec. 22nd from 4:00Pm until 7:00PM for a walk through wake. We ask that everyone wear a f ace covering and maintain social distancing. A Funeral Liturgy will be held privately because of Covid 19 r estrictions, with burial i n St. Patrick Cemetery. To l eave online condolences please visit www.spencerfuneralhomeinc.com.