Sheila A. (Perry) Richard, 73, of New Bedford passed away peacefully on Sunday January 24, 2016 at St. Luke's Hospital surrounded by her loving family after a short battle with cancer. She was the wife of Paul E. Richard.

Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Manuel E. and Alice C. (Walsh) Perry, she lived in New Bedford all of her life.

She was a communicant of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Women's Guild and the Couples Club.

Mrs. Richard was formerly employed as a switchboard operator at St. Luke's Hospital for 17 years until her retirement.

She enjoyed knitting, reading, adult coloring books, and spending time with her grandchildren and her dog O'Malley.

She is survived by her husband, Paul; two children, Kathleen Clough and her husband Christopher of New Bedford, and Kevin Richard of Lakeville; her daughter-in-law, Jeanne Richard of Freetown; and six grandsons, Patrick, Nicholas, Jonathan, Kristopher, Benjamin, and Ryan.

She was the sister of the late Kathleen F. Perry.


Her Funeral will be held on Thursday at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 10 AM. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 4-8 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.