Sheila Pallatto, 72, of North Haven, Connecticut, peacefully passed away wrapped in the love of her husband and family on June 24, 2020. She was truly a woman with grit. She was brave. She never complained and her only concern was for the sadness her illness brought to her family.

Sheila was proud to have been born in Barre, VT in September 1947 to Archie McCullough, Jr. and Elizabeth Roberts, and although she moved to Milford, CT at a very young age, part of her heart always remained in Vermont. She had many fond memories of time spent in Chelsea, VT, especially as a child making mischief with her cousins.

In October 1970, Sheila became the loving and devoted wife of Frank Pallatto, Jr. In their early days as a couple, they enjoyed going to museums, antique shops and hockey games. No two people have ever been more in love. Later, she became the mother to her five children, Frank Pallatto (Barb), Erin Pallatto, Nathan Pallatto (Jenn), Shannon Marzullo (Chris), and Nicole Harlow (Rob). Raising her children was Sheila’s greatest accomplishment. Being a fun Grammie was her greatest joy. For many years, she planned elaborate Halloween parties, Easter egg hunts and days filled with crafts, dancing, Grammie’s library and make-believe fun. She will be remembered as a scary sea monster, a bratty baby in the backseat, Ralph the construction worker and the Spirit of Halloween.

As a librarian’s aide, Sheila ran the Circulation desk at Quinnipiac University for many years and was well liked by the students. Her retirement was one of great contentment. She cherished the opportunity to spend so much time with her grandchildren and enjoyed quiet evenings at home with her husband. For hobbies, she pursued scrapbooking and especially card making, often spending weeks creating a single card for someone she loved.

Sheila was happiest when she was taking care of others – first as a big sister to Christine Blichfeldt, Carol Usdavin, Linda McCullough and Archie McCullough III.; then as a wife and a mother to her five children; and later as a Grammie to her nine grandchildren: Donovan and Dylan Pallatto, Morgan Madenski, Anthony and Alyssa Pallatto, Emma and Tristan Marzullo, and Alexandre and Villette Harlow. In addition to tending her immediate family, she cared for countless other family members, friends of herself and her children, and even acquaintances. She always welcomed her heart and her home to anyone who needed a place to be and she made them feel as loved as one of her own. Always ready with a treat and a cup of tea for any unexpected visitor, she ensured that no one ever left her house hungry and she never returned a dish empty.

Sheila was modest, loyal and kind; she was a secret keeper to make J.K. Rowling proud; she was, for many who knew her, the most genuine person ever encountered. Sheila’s favorite color was yellow, a happy color, the color of a child’s drawing of the sun; and that is how she will be remembered: as a ray of sunshine whose sunset came too soon. She is deeply mourned and terribly missed.

The visiting hours will be Sunday, June 28th, 2020 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue (masks and social distancing required). Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. Sheila was passionate about the mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, so donations to CFF are greatly appreciated in lieu of flowers.
—