Sheila Murphy Abourjaily
March 20, 1938 ~ January 23, 2023
Resided in:
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Cape Elizabeth - Sheila Murphy Abourjaily entered eternal life on Monday, January 23, 2023 at her seaside home in Cape Elizabeth.
Born in Lewiston Maine, she was the daughter of Charles and Natalie Clukey Murphy. Sheila dedicated her life to serving others in her chosen field of nursing, continuing her education as a member of the first graduating class of nurse practitioners in the state of Maine. Sheila was known for her astute diagnostic skills. In addition to caring for patients, Sheila was a talented businesswoman, managing her husband’s successful surgical practice in Portland and a medical office building in South Portland.
She took her compassion and clinical skills to sick children, helping patients on medical trips in Colombia, China, and Ukraine. The relationships she developed on these medical teams remained important to her throughout her life, and she returned several times to continue her commitment to these organizations. Sheila was also one of the first and longest hosts to the Beach to Beacon Road Race runners and became lifelong friends with many of the runners from all over the world who stayed with her. She was invited to visit these friends in their home countries that included Mexico and Kenya, where there were streets and babies named in her honor. Her relationship with her running friends sparked an interest to become an avid runner herself later in life, and you could often find her running the Back Cove trail in all types of weather. In addition to being a great hostess, Sheila was a lover of fashion and a keen shopper - a model in her younger years. A Pisces, Sheila loved being near the water and divided her time between her home in Cape Elizabeth and her winter home in Sand Key Beach, Florida.
Sheila is survived by her loving husband, Georges; her brother, Monsignor Charles Murphy; her daughters, Karen DiPasquale (Tommy) and Erin Dawson-Chalat (Josef); stepchildren, Paul (Heather), Mark (Kelly), Karl (Angela); six adoring grandchildren, Zachary, Luke, Patrick, Harper, Natalie, and Zodi; and her cherished dogs Jamil, Tabib, and Sofia. Sheila lived a full life as a caring nurse practitioner, a loving wife, and beloved mother and grandmother and was deeply loved by all. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in her memory at 11AM on Friday, February 10, 2023 at St. Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth with a reception to follow at Inn by the Sea, 40 Bowery Beach Rd, Cape Elizabeth. All are welcome. A private interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery in Lewiston the following day. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland. To view her memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.
In lieu of flowers, we are happy for any donations to be sent to friendsofanimals.org in honor of Sheila’s love for animals, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (donors@stjude.org).
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I met Sheila when my 31 year old husband was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. Her husband was his Liver Surgeon. I cannot express how wonderful, kind, caring and how much she went out of her way for us. She came and sat with him and cared for him. I will always be grateful for her what she did for him. I am sure her family has realized the loss of her in this world. my condolences to you all. Amy Graves Prescott
Sheila always remembered my birthday with a thoughtful flower or plant arrangement. We always stayed in touch by phone or with my visits to her home in Cape Elizabeth.
For myself, and subsequently my partners at Casco Bay Surgery, Sheila was our landlord and supporter of our colleague Georges Abourjaily and his thriving surgical practice. For the first seven years of my solo practice I shared an office and overhead with Georges, which gave me opportunity to also know Sheila. This continued as others joined me in practice, as Georges joined Maine Surgical Care Group, and as Casco Bay Surgery grew into our own building. We remember Sheila as direct, honest, capable, and also fun-loving and warm-hearted. There were no hidden agendas with Sheila. You knew where she stood. In the competitive world of surgery she remained our friend for more than thirty years.
My prayers go out to Dr.Abourjaily, Monsignor Charles Murphy, Karen , Erin and family. Her smile and caring heart will live on through you all.
Her caring Heart!
By caring and making sure they had what they needed to move forward .
Just by Caring
What a wonderful human being she was !
She had a great sense of humor
Very tall and beautiful
That’s between Sheila and me!
Sheila and I met in 1973 , we both had 2 girls and lived a few street from each other in the Rosemont area Portland . Friendship continued through Mercy Hospital. We both worked or volunteered in the ER. Friendship continued through the years. I made her daughter a prom dress, I believe it was for Erin. I remember when Georges came to practice at Mercy, he stole Sheilas heart, and that was the beginning of their Love Story. Many more memories, I will cherish forever! Sheila is flying with the Angel’s now. God Bless
To Father Charles Murphy, I was so sorry to hear of your sisters passing. She seemed like a beutiful person. Went to soon. From, Kristen Tully
Dr. Abourjaily, I am so sorry to hear about your beloved wife, Sheila’s, passing. Being your first surgical patient, you and your wife have been a staple in my entire family throughout the years. Sheila was always quick with a smile and a helping hand. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Your presence here on Earth made a lasting impression to all who knew you!
Dear Karen and Erin,
I am SO very sad and sorry to hear of the loss of your brave and beautiful mother!!! I can see where you BOTH get your beauty and kindness and compassion. Wow… What an AMAZING mom!!! My mother and uncle (Joanne and Fred Hall) were lucky enough to know your Mom (and your Uncle, Father Murphy) growing up in Lewiston, and they said your Mom always had a true “heart of gold” and was just the sweetest and kindest person EVER! I can see, in knowing her daughters, that the apple did not fall far from the tree! I think back to OUR days at Deering High School, and how LUCKY I was to have our paths cross, for you, Karen and Erin, not only have your Mom’s GREAT BEAUTY, but her heart of gold, and are two of the sweetest and kindest people I know! I have thought of you both, often, over the years and have hoped that life has been kind to you, in return. I know that my Family, and my sisters, who know you, Erin, ALL send their LOVE and wrap you BOTH (and your families) in a BIGGGG WARM HUG! We are with you during these sad and difficult days! Much Love, Mary Norbert and Family
My condolences to George,s ,Monsignor Charles, Karen,Erin and family.
Sheila was a great lady and kind person she will be missed dearly. My condolences to Monsignor Charles and Karen and Erin and family .
I will miiss our visits and reminising about years gone by.
A special friend. Wilma