Sheila Bogan Martin

Sheila Bogan Martin, 86, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on December 11, 2024. Born Sheila Anne Shaw in Los Angeles, California to Joy and Robert Shaw, she grew up in Redding Connecticut. Sheila was a beautiful person throughout her life, and such an adorable child that she made the front cover of Parents’ Magazine. In her early life Sheila excelled in all things athletic but showed extraordinary finesse as an equestrian. After graduating from Ridgefield High School, Sheila attended the University of Connecticut, where she met and married Patrick Denis Bogan and seamlessly became part of his large Irish family, forming friendships that lasted more than 60 years. Sheila had five daughters by her mid-twenties. She loved being a mom and made sure her kids had a fun and loving childhood. This included having many pets … always a dog or two, usually cats and even a skunk; but she also created a home where she and the girls would care for any animal, wild or domestic, that needed help. The family moved to Florida in 1970, buying a home and property large enough for horses, chickens and a vegetable garden. She also made sure her daughters were exposed to sports, becoming ‘The Barefoot Coach’ for their softball teams. At just under 5 feet tall (she would argue this) she wasn’t afraid to “tell it like it is” and was a legend to many and a special friend to all. She had a zest for life that was most apparent when family or friends called and came to visit. After living in South Carolina for many years, Sheila moved back home for the final and arguably best eight years of her life. She loved her little house, sharing it only with her beloved dogs and feeling truly free to live life on her own terms. While she hated the challenges of ‘getting old,’ they were her golden years spent with her daughters and extended family. And, of course, she never let distance get in the way of her cherished friendships, staying in close contact with the huge circle of friends she collected throughout her life. For an old gal, she took to the iPad like a fish to water, reading books, doing puzzles, playing cards and learning something new every day. We especially loved looking in with the ‘spy camera’ as she called it, catching her dancing and singing to her favorite old songs. We’ll miss our time watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune religiously and will especially miss watching her Atlanta Braves games together. Her greatest love was saved for her family. She raised 5 strong daughters and was proud of each of them for the kind, loving and unique people they became. She adored her grandchildren immensely and found such joy being surrounded by her great grandchildren in her final years. Sheila is survived by her daughters Susan Nelson, Sheila Bogan-Hughes (Rob Hughes), Sharon Bogan (Cindy Frank), Sandra Bogan (Mike Woodward), and Tricia Bogan (Michelle Jaramillo); her sister Sharon Reilly (Frank); her sisters-in-law Teresa Zaffis (Bob), Joyce Bogan and Ellen Bogan; her grandchildren Phillip Sapp, Jennifer Alday (Neil), Annalise Nelson, Olivia Hughes, Kara Nelson and Evan Hughes; her great grandchildren Reagan Alday, Christian Alday and Bogan Alday; and her beloved dog Maggie. She is also survived by her dear friend Michelle Clapper who would still be calling everyday if she had Sheila’s new phone number in Heaven. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Sheila Bogan Martin to the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. You can donate on-line @ www.PetAllianceOrlando.org or by mail @ 333 S. Garland Ave., 13th Floor, Orlando, FL 32801.

Sheila Bogan Martin

January 12, 1938 - December 11, 2024