WINSLOW – Sheila Marie (Joseph) (Rancourt) Bonenfant, 84, of Winslow, transitioned peacefully at her home on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, surrounded by her family. While recuperating from a devastating fall that broke her hip and elbow, Sheila courageously battled cancer for 15 months, remaining positive and tenacious, with the help of her family and friends.

Sheila was born in Waterville, August 22, 1939, to Frank and Lucille (Poirior) Joseph. She graduated from Waterville High School’s Class of 1957 and attended Thayer Hospital School of Medical Technology. She married her high school sweetheart, Alton Rancourt, in May 1959 and together they raised seven children.

Sheila worked as a histology technician at Thayer Hospital until the birth of her first child, when she left her job to raise her first five children. She re-entered the workforce part-time in 1968, at the old Waterville Osteopathic Hospital where she stayed for 16 years.

Between December 1975 and January 1980, Sheila lost both of her parents and her husband, leaving her to raise the six youngest of her seven children. Despite this unimaginable hardship, she persevered with what she referred to as “The Three Fs” – Faith, Family, and Friends.

Happier times visited her again when Sheila met Don Bonenfant (1931-2006) in 1983. They were married in 1985 whereupon they decided to relocate to Las Vegas, Nevada where they spent the next ten years. While there, Sheila entered a second career as a realtor and, upon moving back to Maine in 1995, she became an associate broker with Plourde Real Estate where she spent the last 22 years of her career before retiring at the age of 76.

After retirement, Sheila worked part-time at Mount Merici in Waterville as a childcare assistant, enjoying the kids as much as they enjoyed her. She also volunteered at the Soup Kitchen, with American Veterans and at the Muskie Center in Waterville, helping with the Meals on Wheels program.

She was predeceased by her parents; her first and second husbands; her older brother, Jerry Joseph, and most recently, her cousin, Laya Joseph, sister-in-law Diane Cates; and her beloved granddaughter Alexa Re Rancourt.

Sheila is survived by her seven children, Michael Rancourt of Biddeford, Kathi Rancourt of Holiday, Fla., Marc Rancourt of Bangor, Celeste ( and Don) Clough of Henderson, Nev., Lisa (and Jerry) Dittrich of Westbrook, Matthew Rancourt of China, and John Rancourt of Portland. She also leaves eight grandchildren, Darryl “DJ” Vintinner, Jr. (and Amy Morrissette) of Oakland, Katie (Vintinner) Hewett of Skowhegan, Courtney Rancourt of Albion, Miranda Rancourt of Bangor, Indigo (and Faith) Soncourt of New York City, Max Sanborn of China, and Mikayla Garcia of Augusta; and eight great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Oliver, Cadence, Teagan, Molly, Quinn, Sparrow and JoJo.

Sheila is also survived by her younger brother, Richard (and Laurie) Joseph of Holiday, Fla. Though he left Maine at a young age, they always shared a close and special bond, and he fondly remembers how his big sister always looked out for him growing up.

Sheila is also survived by her step-children and step-grandchildren through Don Bonenfant; as well as her beloved in-laws; nieces, nephews; cousins; and many of her children’s friends and her friend’s children whom she always welcomed as her “adopted” children.

Besides a big family, Sheila was blessed with many close friends who enriched her life, helped her through tough times, and spent many joyous moments with her. We would like to thank them all, from her childhood friends to her Red Hat gals and everyone in between.

We wish to also extend sincere thanks to Maine General HACC & Maine General Hospice, particularly Dr. Dohner, who helped her immensely and cared for her so professionally during her last few months.

There will be a Catholic Mass held at Notre Dame on Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m. immediately followed by a Celebration of Life in their event room.

In lieu of flowers,

donations can be made in Sheila’s name to one of her favorite local charities:

the Muskie Center/

Meals on Wheels

and the soup kitchen