Sheila Marie Spicer

Sheila Marie (Tynan) Spicer, age 83, of Sagamore Beach and Walpole, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at home on October 29th, 2026. She was born on July 2, 1943, in Brockton, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late John Patrick and Marguerite Catherine (Roach) Tynan. She lived a life characterized by compassion for others, was a proud Democrat, and a strong advocate for the equality of all people. She loved music, traveling, and experiencing different cultures. Her two favorite places in the world were Ireland and Hawaii.

Sheila was raised in Fall River and Roslindale, graduated from Hyde Park High School, then became a registered nurse and received her diploma from St. Catherine Laboure School of Nursing.

Sheila enlisted in the United States Army Nurse Corps at the age of 20 during a time of great national need. As an Army nurse, she was stationed at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. While stationed there, she was on the Med-Evac route from Vietnam to the US, providing exceptional medical care, comfort, and compassion to young service members and their families during the massive US military build-up that peaked dramatically between 1965 and 1967. It was there that she met Gary Fackson, an injured soldier that she cared for and nursed back to health. Sheila and Gary fell in love and were married in 1968. While stationed in Hawaii, Sheila was joined by her brother Marty who also got married and then started his family there.

Her outstanding leadership, skill, and dedication earned her the rank of Captain before she was honorably discharged in 1969. Sheila and Gary welcomed their daughter, Malia, in 1971. Just before Malia’s second birthday, Gary was tragically killed in an industrial accident. Now a widow facing this tragedy with a little girl to raise on her own, Sheila focused on her education to make a better life for them both.

Sheila earned her BSN from Boston University in 1975; she was inducted into the National Honor Society for Nursing in 1976 and earned her Master of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from Boston College in 1977. As she pursued her education, Sheila met Douglas Spicer, a marine who also served in Vietnam, in 1976. They were married in 1978 and welcomed their son Douglas in 1981.

Her service to her fellow veterans did not end when she took off the uniform. Sheila spent the rest of her life as a tireless, fierce advocate within the veteran community. She spent 30 years working for the VA, first at the Boston Vet Center, then at the Brockton Vet Center as a readjustment counselor and then Team Leader helping veterans navigate the complex Veteran’s Affairs benefits system to ensure they received the care and recognition they rightfully earned.

Notably, Sheila was a trailblazer and a protective shield for women in the military. She dedicated her life to supporting and fighting for female veterans who experienced military sexual assault, serving as an ally in their pursuit of healing. Sheila was part of the delegation of Vietnam veterans that went to Washington D.C for the Speaker’s Annual Conference on the Concerns of Vietnam Veterans. She was on the Massachusetts Governor’s Advisory Committee for Women Veterans under three Massachusetts governors.

She retired to Cape Coral, FL in 2004 with her husband Doug where her second life began. Doug and Sheila joined every club they could find, including the Power Squadron, American Legion, and the Irish American Club and the German American Club where they danced the night away. They spent a lot of time on their boat, in their pool, and going on cruises. They enjoyed hosting their granddaughter, Cheyenne, every summer - even naming their boat, The Miss Cheyenne, after her.

In 2016, Sheila and Doug returned to Massachusetts to be closer to their family, moving in with their daughter Malia, and son-in-law Anthony in Sagamore Beach. They were married for 41 years until Doug succumbed to vascular dementia in 2019. Sheila travelled to Hawaii in 2023 with Malia to reconnect with their Hawaiian family members. Her final trip to Hawaii was the highlight of her final years.

She was a beloved mother, aunt, and grandmother who deeply impacted the lives of her children, nieces, nephews, and granddaughter. Sheila leaves behind a legacy of resilience and honor that they will all carry with them forever.

Sheila is survived by her daughter, Malia Blaikie and her husband Anthony, of Sagamore Beach, her son, Douglas Spicer II, also of Sagamore Beach, her only grandchild and light of her life, Cheyenne Lamperti. Her brother Marty’s children, Titus Tynan and his wife Tessie, Tim Tynan and his wife Pam, Marguerite Amenta and her husband Tino, Keolani Tynan, and Lokelani Cameros and her husband Russell. Her brother Jeff’s children, Padraic Tynan and his wife Haley, Marguerite Tynan, and Adele Tynan.

Sheila was preceded in death by her husband Doug Spicer, her brother Marty Tynan and his wife Doreen Kanehailua Tynan, and her brother Jeff Tynan.

Visitation will be held at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 40 MacArthur Blvd, Bourne, MA, 02532 on November 10, 2026, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, with a Remembrance Service at 1:30 pm.

Burial to follow with military honors at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Ave, Bourne, MA 02542 at 2:30 pm.