Joanne (LaLiberte) Sheats

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Joanne (LaLiberte) Sheats 61 of Troy, died early on Friday morning after battling cancer. She died peacefully in the familiar surroundings of her home with the love and compassion of her family and several close friends at her side.

She was born the only child of Rita (Hayden) and Albert LaLiberte in Central Falls, R.I. on February 10, 1948. Joanne was raised in Cumberland, R.I. where she attended local schools. She graduated from Cumberland High School, class of 1966.

On December 26, 1979 she was married her then boyfriend Howard (Bucky) M. Sheets Jr. They received there vows at St. Aiden’s Roman Catholic Church in Cumberland. They lived and raised a family in Cumberland for 26 years before moving to Winchester. Winchester was home for three years and with a job change for her husband they moved to Troy where they built a new home in hopes that they would eventually retire and enjoy the good life together. Troy has been home for the past three years.

For many years Joanne was gainfully employed by Texas Instruments in Attleboro, MA. She was a multi-tasked employee in many aspects of the industry. Her primary role at T.I. was as a buyer and planner in the component division. She was very well liked by her co-workers and Sr. Managers respected her for her knowledge and willingness to work hard.

Joanne loved to watch Q.V.C. on the Home Shopping Network. The family always took a vacation out of the area every year. Many times they would go to Florida for rest and relaxation. She loved to read. It was common to find Joanne curled up on the couch reading a book with a glass of wine. She enjoyed having the family come for big meals and visits at Christmas and Thanksgiving. Her husband Howard (Bucky) liked to race cars and Joanne would score for him. She was his biggest critic and motivator at the same time. The family would spend many a Saturday night playing cribbage and other card games. Joanne loved to help people, giving freely of her time for numerous organizations and causes. She was a devout Catholic and a true humanitarian. As a final act of compassion and altruism Joanne has donated herself to Tufts University School of Medicine for Anatomical Education and Clinical Research. In hope that medical education and research would help someone in the future.

Mrs. Sheats is survived by her husband of almost 30 years. Howard (Bucky) Sheats Jr. of Troy. Her son David M. Sheats and his wife Loris of Rumford, R.I. a daughter, Carissa M. Sheats of Cumberland, R.I. Joanne’s father Albert LaLiberte of Cumberland, R.I. will greatly miss his only child. Granma JoJo’s presence will be missed by her only grandchild Sydney Sheats of Rumford, R.I. Joanne had hoped to live long enough to see her daughter Carissa give birth to what would have been Joanne’s second grandchild. Her many cousins, uncles, aunts, extended family and friends will miss her presence. She is pre-deceased by her mother Rita (Hayden) LaLiberte who passed in 1991.

A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday at 10a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 31 School St. Troy. There are no calling hours. It was Joanne’s wish that no flowers be sent. The family has requested that donations be made in memory of Joanne Sheats to the American Cancer Society, 2 Commerce Dr. Suite 100, Bedford, NH. 03110 or to Hospice at HCS, P.O. Box 564, Keene, NH. 03431

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