Sheila Delahunty

Sheila Delahunty died at home in Fayetteville, NC, August 11, 2024. She was age 89. Her immediate survivors are Deidre Clarke, Chris Delahunty, and Meg Suraci. She was proceeded in death by her son, John, and her husband of 68 years, Thomas Delahunty. She was cremated and her and Thomas’s ashes will be interred at a later date. 

Sheila was born in the Bronx, New York. She attended public schools, and graduated from The Bronx High School of Science. In 1955 she married and took off around the USA and Asia as an adventurous Army wife. 

A devoted antique dealer that had booths in Fayetteville and Cameron over the years. An “English as a Second Language” teacher at the AUA Language Center in Bangkok, and locally at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Sheila was a gifted designer and was a sought after framing and matting expert. Sheila was employed at The Pollitt Selection for over 30 years until its’ closing in 2016. Sheila also represented St. Michael the Archangel Maronite Catholic Church whilst serving Love Lunch at a local shelter for 25 years. 

Halloween in Haymount delighted Sheila, and she gave out many pounds of candy over the years. People walking to and from the little park on General Lee Avenue often stopped to chat with her as she tended her enchanting garden. Her iconic Haymount house epitomized Sheila. It bursted with art, antiques, china, books and a collection of treasure curated by years of shopping internationally and Fayetteville yard and estate sales. 

To know her was to love her. She was humble yet aware of her good fortune and was always willing to help others, befriend the lonely, and love those who did not love themselves. Her family are grateful to have known her and loved her deeply. 

In remembrance of Sheila, charitable donations may be made to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden Endowment at Cumberland Community Foundation, PO BOX 2345, Fayetteville, NC 28302.

Visitation will be Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10:00 am - noon, Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service, 610 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301.