Sheila Marie Duarte's Obituary
On Thursday, March 4, 2021, Sheila Marie Duarte passed away at the age of 84 in Leesburg VA after a short illness.
Sheila was born on April 5, 1936 at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington DC to Henri and Julia Sappèy. She was a graduate of St. Patrick’s Academy for Girls in 1954 located in Washington DC where her mother also graduated. She then started working for the Department of State until she met her future husband Harry Joe Duarte whom she married on July 7, 1957.
Sheila and Harry moved to California where they raised their children.
Sheila was a selfless person and after her retirement from the Social Security Administration worked tirelessly for Loudoun County Social Services. On more than one occasion she would bring food and clothes from her house in order to clothe and feed the needy. It also was not uncommon for her to give cash contribution to individuals who were less fortunate than her. She was a remarkable woman who rarely rested and worked from age 18 until she retired at age 81.
Sheila was preceded in death by her father, Henri, her mother Julia, her brother Joseph, and her grandson Jereme Duarte. She is survived by her brother Stephen, her sister Kathleen, and her four children Michael, Denise, Kevin and Sean. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
There will be a Catholic Mass held on Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church on Oakcrest Manor Drive in Leesburg, Virginia at 10:00 A.M. Interment at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Washington, DC.
What’s your fondest memory of Sheila?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sheila?
Share a story where Sheila's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sheila you’ll never forget.
How did Sheila make you smile?