Sheila L Wetherbee

Sheila Lorraine Dudley Wetherbee, born on August 9, 1952, in Westerly, Rhode Island to Angeline DiPietro Dudley and William Dudley, passed away on April 10, 2025, in Bradenton, Florida.

Sheila lived a life marked by strength, compassion, and quiet generosity. She met her husband, David “Butch” Wetherbee, when they were neighbors in Lake Mishnock, West Greenwich, Rhode Island and together they eventually retired to Florida, where they spent the last 22 years building a full life.

One of her proudest accomplishments was returning to school later in life—earning her Bachelor of Education from the University of Rhode Island in 1993, magna cum laude—and beginning her middle school teaching career. She taught for many years at Barrington Middle School in Rhode Island and later at Robles Elementary in Florida. She held teaching certifications in both Rhode Island and Florida.

Sheila loved arts and crafts, and even had her own cake-making business back in the day. She had a deep commitment to helping others—quietly supporting families in need, sometimes even taking people into her home or helping with school supplies and clothes. She was a devout Catholic and regularly attended church.

Later in life, Sheila took up ballroom dancing and quickly fell in love with it— participating in several local dance competitions. She was also a formidable cribbage and chess player, and kept an extensive personal library filled with history and nonfiction. She was the most honest person her family knew—her integrity was steady and unwavering, even in the smallest moments.

She is survived by her husband, David “Butch” Wetherbee of Parrish, FL; her daughter, Kelly “Kel” Wetherbee of Sacramento, CA; her son, Kevin Wetherbee of Bradenton, FL; and several cousins in the New London, CT area, including Amelia Tranchida.

According to Sheila’s wishes, there will be no memorial or service. Please, no flowers—if you’d like to honor Sheila, consider a donation to the Humane Society, ASPCA, or the American Diabetes Association.