Sharon Lee DeMello

Sharon Lee (Henault) DeMello entered into eternal life on August 15, 2023, in Alexandria, Virginia. Sharon was born in Taunton, Massachusetts to Louis and Jane Henault on January 28, 1947. She graduated from Taunton High School and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Boston State College followed by a Master's degree in Speech Pathology from Syracuse University. On June 24, 1972, Sharon married her high school sweetheart Richard Alan DeMello and shortly after that moved to Alexandria, Virginia.

Sharon was employed by the Fairfax County School System for over 30 years as a Speech Pathologist and a Pre-school Special Education teacher. She retired from teaching in 2011. Sharon is warmly remembered as a caring, innovative, and creative teacher who touched the hearts and lives of her students and their parents. Over the years Sharon was a recipient of many local and national awards for her dedication and service to education.

Sharon loved God, her family, and many cherished friends. She volunteered at Cora Kelly School in Alexandria, was a member of Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.), and the Mount Vernon House Garden Club. Sharon loved her native New England, with a special fondness for Nantucket. Her many interests included reading, traveling, walking her grand dog Winston, exercising, adventures, playing pranks, and creating original artwork with rocks and shells she gathered on the beaches of Cape Cod. Her creativity knew no bounds. She was very generous with her time and always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone she met felt her genuine compassion. She will be particularly remembered for the many beautiful afternoon teas she hosted for her dear friends.

Sharon is preceded in death by her husband Richard, her parents Louis and Jane Henault, her brother Louis Henault and niece Rachael Henault.

Sharon is survived by her loving daughter Shawna DeMello Dillon, son-in-law Jim Dillon, sisters Judy Pierce and Donna Saben, brother Mitchell Henault and wife Laurie Henault, brothers William Henault and Paul Henault, sister-in-law Karen DeMello, God child Lori Saben, her adoring grand dog Winston James Dillon, nieces, nephews, as well as grand nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 24, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8710 Mount Vernon Highway, Alexandria, VA 22209 and on August 31st, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 372 Middleborough Avenue, East Taunton, Massachusetts 02718 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the following organizations: The Laura Harbour Scott Foundation (lhsfndn.org); Mount Vernon Estate (mountvernon.org); St. Jude Children Research Hospital (stjude.org); Make-A-Wish Foundation (wish.org); Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (alexandriaanimals.org).