Sheila A. Vaccaro Obituary (2011)

Sheila Anne Vaccaro, 68, of Poland, Maine and formerly of Sanford, Maine died on the evening of February 6, 2011. She was saved by the Lord after enduring complications following extensive surgery on January 7th for soft-tissue sarcomas while fighting her second courageous battle with cancer at the University Community Hospital in Tampa, Florida. A hero is an ordinary person who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.She was born in Sanford, Maine on January 2nd, 1943 and resided in the Sanford/Springvale area until 1988. Subsequently, she lived in Poland, Maine during the summer and Auburndale, Florida in the winter. She was predeceased by her parents Walter Burpee and Pauline Hadden Burpee and her husband's parents, William Vaccaro and Vera Mazza Vaccaro, her Aunt Priscilla Hadden Hunt and Uncle Seth (Bud) Hunt, two sisters-in-law, Rachel Emmons Vaccaro and Catherine Vaccaro, and three brothers-in-law, Leon Jellerson MD, Toppy Allen and John Vaccaro.She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of nearly 49 years, Paul J. Vaccaro Sr. and her four children and six grandchildren: Paul J. Vaccaro Jr., his wife Carolyn Knutson-Vaccaro, their children Hunter and Hannah of Deatsville, Alabama, Alan Vaccaro and Michelle Gould of Shapleigh, Maine, Rhonda Vaccaro-Young, her husband John and their children Alan and Holly of Poland, Maine. Robin Gallant, her husband Michael and their children Tony and Allison of Sanford, Maine. She is also survived by a brother, David Burpee and his wife Sharon, a half brother Gary Burpee and his wife Farley Vigneault Andersen, her Aunt Patricia Hadden Cunningham and Uncle Frank Cunningham, five sisters-in-law: Elizabeth Jellerson, Barbara Allen, Phyllis Vaccaro, Sandra Vaccaro, Annette Vaccaro and two brothers-in-law: William and Thomas Vaccaro. She had many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. She also had many dear friends throughout her life, including those whom she met during the 23 years she, her husband and her family owned and operated Range Pond Campground in Poland, Maine. She often "entertained" her campers with her own special, humorous ways while playing Bingo or attending other campground events. She loved spending time with family and friends and frequently entertained guests at her home. She treasured all six of her grandchildren. Both of her homes are overflowing with pictures of family and friends. She was a devout Catholic and strongly believed her faith would get her through anything. She was strong, determined and a true inspiration to anyone who knew her. She will be sadly missed but never forgotten. Visiting hours will be on Friday, Febraury18th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale, Maine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 12 noon at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church in Springvale, Maine. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to the Moffitt Cancer Center, In memory of Sheila A. Vaccaro, Amandalee Weiss Fund for Sarcoma Research, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612. Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com