Sheila Hodge Willmott

Sheila Hodge Willmott, 83, of Marblehead died peacefully surrounded by loving family on Nov. 18. She was born in Paterson, New Jersey, the middle child of the late William Hodge and Marion Captain Osborn, and was predeceased by her older sister, Pat, and younger brother, Jim.

Sheila grew up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, graduating from Scranton High School before attending Simmons College where she earned a bachelor’s in education and her “MRS” degree.

On Feb. 20, 1965, Sheila married the love of her life, Clark Willmott, and in 1977 they moved their family to Marblehead, fostering decades of fun coastal times with family and dear friends. Sheila loved to fill the house with music. Sunday mornings were frequently reserved for the soundtrack to “Godspell,” while other days anything from Bob Marley to Andrea Bocelli danced through the house.

The hostess with the mostess, Sheila loved socializing with friends, especially the annual Fourth of July “Camp Willy” weekend where tears of laughter were a guaranteed byproduct. Sheila was an “extreme” boater (a.k.a. harbor cruises and tie-ups at Misery) and an avid tennis player at the CYC, where she will be remembered for her down-the-line winners and humorous score keeping: “30-5, that’s how old I am” or “5-30, it’s cocktail hour.”

During the ’80s, Sheila was a realtor for ERA Cassidy, frequently befriending her clients who were new to town. When Boston University took receivership of the Chelsea school system, she returned to her original passion working with children as an elementary school teacher.

Upon retirement, Sheila became the “best grandmother ever” while she and Clark split their time between Marblehead and Delray Beach, Florida.

After eight challenging years living with dementia, Sheila’s family finds comfort in knowing that she is finally at peace, reunited with a lifetime of wonderful memories she lost years ago.

She will be dearly missed by her husband, Clark; children, Cath and Jeff; their spouses, Dan Sullivan and Eileen Willmott; her three grandsons, Adam and Luke Willmott and Will Sullivan; and many extended family members and close friends.

A celebration of Sheila’s life will be hosted for family and friends Jan. 7 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Landing Restaurant in Marblehead. Fond memories and expressions of