Sheila Supi McDonald, age 60, was born on April 24, 1965, in Sabah, Malaysia. She was a loyal, fun-loving, and deeply compassionate woman whose life was defined by devotion to family, service to others, and quiet strength. She possessed a love for adventure balanced by a thoughtful and cautious nature. While she often preferred her comfort zone, her husband, Jay, lovingly encouraged her to step beyond it, enriching her life with new experiences. In turn, Sheila brought culture, perspective, and warmth into Jay’s life, proudly sharing her Malaysian heritage and traditions.

Sheila grew up in Tawau, Malaysia, where she developed strong values rooted in family, education, discipline, and service. She attended Saint Ursula Convent High School in Tawau, graduating with the Class of 1981. Driven by determination and a belief in opportunity, she later came to the United States to pursue higher education. Sheila earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication from Towson University and also studied Public Relations, laying the foundation for a life defined by hard work, adaptability, and perseverance.

Before settling in the United States, Sheila worked as an Administrative Assistant with the Tawau Municipal Council, also known as Majlis Perbandaran Tawau. After immigrating, she built a meaningful career centered on caring for others, working as a Certified Nursing Assistant for several private companies. Licensed first in Maryland and later in Rhode Island, Sheila dedicated herself to serving the elderly with patience, dignity, and compassion. Her commitment to caregiving extended beyond her profession. She selflessly cared for her husband’s sick mother, Iris, until the very end, embodying the true meaning of service, love, and sacrifice.

Sheila found great joy in life’s simple and meaningful pleasures. She loved gardening and took pride in growing flowers, finding peace and fulfillment in nurturing beauty from the soil. Cooking was another of her passions. She delighted in preparing meals for her family and encouraging them to try new recipes, turning everyday dinners into moments of connection and joy. Sheila also loved to travel and explore new places, a passion she shared with her family, with whom she frequently created cherished memories through travel and shared adventures.

Sheila was immensely proud to become a citizen of the United States in 2020. Her journey to citizenship reflected years of perseverance, discipline, and deep respect for the freedoms and responsibilities it represented. She embraced her role as an American wholeheartedly, living with gratitude, integrity, and pride. As a devoted military wife, she held profound respect for service, country, and community, and she stood firmly behind the values she believed defined the American spirit. Sheila was, in every sense, a proud American patriot.

In 2011, Sheila met the love of her life, Jay McDonald. They were married in a beautiful ceremony in Saint Augustine, Florida, in 2017. Together, they built a life grounded in love, mutual respect, and unwavering support. Sheila also found joy and connection through ballroom dancing, regularly attending classes at the Mancini Center, where she formed many cherished friendships.

In her final chapter, Sheila faced her illness with extraordinary courage, grace, and resilience. She endured immense challenges with strength, dignity, and an unyielding spirit. Even in her most difficult moments, she remained selfless and brave, inspiring all who witnessed her journey. Her courage stands as a powerful testament to her character and strength of heart.

Sheila was a devoted stepmother to Kristi Ann Burmeister, husband Cory Richard Burmeister, and Joseph George McDonald III, and a loving step-grandmother to Emilia Iris Caminero, who affectionately called her Ena. Sheila adored Emilia and played an integral role in helping raise her from birth, sharing a bond filled with unconditional love and devotion.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Augustine Supi and Eugenie Virginia Mosimpong Supi, and her brother, Kenneth Supi, husband of Jesica Julie. She is survived by her husband, Jay McDonald, her brother Gary Supi and his wife Agness Margaret, her sister Susan Dawn Supi and her husband Francis Mosidin, and her beloved nieces and nephews Brandon, Brenda, Dylan Mosidin, and Chelsea Supi.

Sheila Supi McDonald will be remembered for her loyalty, compassion, patriotism, and unbreakable spirit. Her life was one of service, love, and courage. Though she is no longer with us, her legacy lives on through the family she cherished, the lives she touched, and the example she set through strength, sacrifice, and grace.

Wake services will be held on Friday, January 2, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Robbins Funeral Home 2251 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence, Rhode Island.

Her funeral will take place on Saturday, January 3 at 8 am from the funeral home, with a Mass at 9:00 a.m. at Saint Augustine’s Church in Providence, Rhode Island, followed by burial at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, Rhode Island.