Norwich, Vermont - Sheila Anne Taraska of Norwich, VT passed away peacefully on March 8, 2021 at home surrounded by family and her spouse, Kathleen Peterson.

Sheila was born in New Britain, CT on January 12, 1945, where she lived until settling in VT In the 1989. Sheila and her siblings grew up with their parents, Anne Daunis Jenuska and Albin Jenuska who owned The Crystal Bar and Grill in New Britain. Sheila's early experiences as she and her siblings helped in the family business were Instrumental In shaping the path of her life.

Sheila's first endeavor was the study of nursing, and she graduated from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsfield, MA. She began her nursing career at the Veterans Hospital in Newington, CT and it was there that she met her husband, Walter Felix Taraska. Together they lived in New Britain and raised their children, Walter, Jr. and Julienne. Sheila always said that her greatest joy was found in the life she had with Walter and her children. They enjoyed time in Vermont, where they had a summer home. Sheila was a devoted wife, and many years later when Walter, Sr. became ill, she cared for him and then saw that he received the loving care he needed at Cedar Hill in Windsor.

Sheila later went on to study at St. Joseph's College in North Windham, ME, where she received a B.S. in Health Care Administration and then a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Connecticut. She began a very gratifying job with Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. in 1981 as a Senior Health Consultant. She was detailed to a large part of New England and happily traveled for her job until relocating to VT.

Sheila always had an adventurous spirit and when she had an opportunity to own a business, she opened and operated Raspberries and Thyme, a highly successful and quaint restaurant on the green in Chester, VT. She became friends with Faith Boone and Sandy Saunders, of Schoolhouse Antiques in Saxton's River and assisted them in their business for many years. An astute learner with a very creative mind, Sheila enjoyed acquiring antiques and many other collectibles.

Before retiring in 1995, Sheila was the Program Director for Help-At-Home at the VNA of VT and NH in Lebanon.

Always looking for another opportunity to learn, after retirement Sheila studied Mediation and Conflict Resolution at Woodbury College in Montpelier, VT and served as a volunteer for the WRJ reparative board. She also had a special place in her heart for those less fortunate, and volunteered at The Upper Valley Haven in White River Junction, VT for some time as well.

Sheila and Kathleen became friends in 1991 and have been residing in Norwich since 1997 when they acquired property and took on the project of having an old farmhouse in the Ompompanoosuc area of Norwich renovated, which was a great adventure. They were married in 2009 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Norwich. They enjoyed a peaceful life, sharing many wonderful times of celebration with their friends, the women of the Plaides Tribe, and family. For 20 years they spent their vacation time in Aruba, which was a delight that they shared with their sisters.

Sheila was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Hanover. Sheila is predeceased by her former husband Walter, and her two brothers, Richard and Robert. She is survived by her spouse, Kathleen Peterson, as well as her sister Mary Marrocco and brothers Albin and Dennis Jenuska, her children, Walter and Julienne, her grandchildren, Ellie, Maggie, Teddy and Vivienne, and sisters and brothers-in-law Dianne, Irene, Beverly, Daniel and Robert and their families. The family would like to thank Bayada Hospice in Norwich, VT for the excellent and compassionate care they gave to Sheila and her family, and also to VNH at DHMC.

A funeral service will be held at St. Thomas in Hanover at a later date. Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to Sheila's family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Upper Valley Haven, 745 Hartford Avenue, White River Jct., VT 05001 in Sheila's memory.