The St. Patrick’s Parade committee has announced that LAOH member Sheila Smith has been named as the Grand Marshal for the 2018 Manchester Saint Patrick’s Parade.
Sheila was educated in the Manchester School system and received an Associate’s Degree from Hesser College and is currently employed by the Manchester School District as a Paraprofessional at Wilson Street School.
In addition to her work with the children in the city of Manchester, perhaps she has waited on you at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester, NH. She has been employed there for over 32 years.
Sheila is third of nine children born to Denis and Cecelia O’Neil, a very prominent Irish family in the city. She is married to Doug Smith and together they have raised 3 (adult) children, Kara (Poirier), Brighid and Liam, all of whom have attended Manchester Schools.
Sheila is devoted to her Catholic faith and worships at St. Pius X Church in Manchester.
When Sheila is not busy with work, she is busy with Irish Set Dancing and enjoys the benefits from a Kayaking Club. This is what she does for herself, what she does for others is simply amazing!
Sheila has given tirelessly to others in service to her community. She has been a Red Cross organizer since 2004 and Red Cross donor since 1990.
For over 20 years she has been a loyal member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH).
Sheila is also busy with local politics and a voice for her candidates of choice, including working the polls, often with a sign in hand, for local and national candidates.
On any given day, Sheila can be seen visiting the elderly at nursing homes, even though there is no familial connection.
On weekends she is often busy frequently visiting various yard sales seeking clothing for the needy school children at Manchester’s city schools. Many times, she will successfully convince a thoughtful and generous yard sale proprietor to donate unsold items such as books, games, balls and other equipment to city schools.
Recently, a family at Henry Wilson School lost all of their belongings in a fire. Sheila gathered up donated clothing and furniture from her family, friends and coworkers of the Puritan Backroom, and borrowed a family member’s truck and personally drove the items to the fire victim’s temporary home!
Sheila has helped clothe the babies of teen mothers as well as immigrant coworkers who are resettled refugees with very little means.
Sheila is an integral part of the Ancient Order of Hibernian (AOH) “Adopt a Family” program that furnishes toys and other necessary items for needy families in the Manchester area.
Sheila epitomizes pure altruism, a true and selfless concern for the well-being of others. She is a great choice for Grand Marshal of the 2018 Manchester Saint Patrick’s Parade!