Sheila Finkelstein

It is with great sadness and tremendous love that we announce the passing of our beautiful mother, Sheila Bakely Finkelstein. Sheila has been reunited with the love of her life, her beloved husband, Samuel “Sam” Finkelstein.

Born in Philadelphia, Sheila moved to New York after marrying Sam, and they eventually settled in Old Bridge, New Jersey, where they raised their two sons, Joe and Rob.

Sheila lived a life filled with creativity, curiosity, teaching, and helping others. She was involved in the founding of the Madison Township Library, serving as its first president, and later became an art teacher in the Old Bridge school system. Throughout her life, she continued to reinvent herself through sales, coaching, and entrepreneurship. After moving to Florida, she developed art and nature websites and helped seniors learn to use technology.

Sheila touched countless lives with her passion, generosity, creativity, curiosity, and love. She jokingly described herself as “an introvert acting as an extrovert,” yet she could talk to just about anyone and always had a genuine interest in people.

Above all, Sheila loved her family deeply. She is survived by her sons, Joe Finkelstein and his wife, Ellen, and Rob Finkelstein and his wife, Kevra; grandchildren Kaitlyn Fletcher and her husband, Brad, Ryan Finkelstein and his wife, Leya, Will Finkelstein, and Jack Finkelstein; great-grandsons Derrick and Austin; and her brother, Jeff Bakely, and his wife, Gail.

Sheila’s tenacity and determination stayed with her until the very end. Her life made a difference, and her influence will live on through her family and the many people whose lives she touched.

Celebration of Life

The family will hold a Celebration of Life for Sheila on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 12:15 PM at The Pointe at Deer Creek. A Zoom link will be available for family and friends unable to attend in person.

For details or Zoom information, please contact Rob at [email protected].

We will miss her conversations, creativity, curiosity, generosity, and strength. and the unique way she looked at the world.

Most of all, we will miss our mom.

Her life made a difference. Her influence will continue through the family she loved the students she taught, the people she helped, and the many lives she touched along the way.

And while saying goodbye is incredibly difficult, there is comfort in knowing that Sheila and Sam are together once again.

Rest in peace, Mom. You were deeply loved, and you will never be forgotten.