THOMASTON — Sheila Ann Breen, 80, went home to be with her Lord, March 29, 2015, following a period of declining health.

Born in Rumford on Aug. 8, 1934, she was one of five children of Hugh and Anne Fleck. Educated in local schools, she was a 1952 graduate of Stephens High School.

On June 25, 1952, she married Walter D. Breen in St. John, New Brunswick. The Breen's made their first home in Mexico, Maine, before moving to the Norway/South Paris area, where they lived more than 10 years. In 1962, they moved to Thomaston.

For several years, Sheila worked as a certified nursing assistant at Lucette Boarding Home in Thomaston. She later worked at Camden Nursing Home and Camden Health Care Center. During this same time, she also served as a private duty nurse for local families. For many years, she opened her home as an adult shared living home.

For more than 30 years, she was an active member of the Assembly of God Church in Thomaston. She served as a Sunday school teacher, a Missionette leader and as a Cub Scout leader. For the past 10 years, she attended and enjoyed the fellowship at Souls Harbor Church of God in Rockland.

Sheila will be remembered for many things but foremost, her love of the Lord. She was a strong testimony of her faith to her family and everyone she met.

She had a heart of gold and was always there for anyone with a need, willing to help and pray for them. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother; a true matriarch of the family.

In addition to her siblings, Sheila was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Walter, in 2009. She is survived by three sons and their wives, Daniel and Karyl Breen of Thomaston, Brian and Nicole Breen of Warren, and William and Lori Breen of Nashua, N.H.; one daughter, Kimberly Thompson and her husband, Steve, of Warren; 15 grandchildren, Matthew Breen and his wife, Elizabeth, Katherine Breen, Brian Breen Jr., Corey Breen, Chase Breen, Chandler Breen, Ashley Breen, Justin Breen, Jennifer Breen-Kozubal and her husband, Michael, Jacob Breen, Adam Breen, Misty Start, April Start, Olivia Bradstreet and Andrea Bradstreet; seven great-grandchildren, Bailey, Olivia and Tyler Breen, Anthony and Preston Breen, and Zeph and Aurelia Kozubal; many nieces and nephews; as well as two close friends who have resided with Sheila many years, Cheryl Manning and JoAnna Haskell.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Thursday, April 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A celebration of Sheila's life will be held Friday, April 3 at 1 p.m. at Thomaston Assembly of God Church, 14 Roxbury St. in Thomaston. The Rev. Chris Chappell will officiate. Spring interment will be in Village Cemetery in Thomaston.

While flowers are welcome, those who wish may make memorial donations to Souls Harbor Church of God, 59 S. Main St., Rockland, ME 04841 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 300, Memphis, TN 38148-0552.