Sheila Drew O'Brien

Sheila Drew OBrien, 91, of Spring Street, Newport died Thursday, March 3, 2016 at Village House Nursing Home in Newport. Sheila was born October 8, 1924 in London, England, the daughter of the late James J. and Violet (Drew) OBrien.As Sheila often recollected to family and friends, she was brought to America at the age of three to join a raucous and loving family Irish family in New London, Connecticut. She arrived in time for as the French called it the annes folles (Crazy Years) of the Roaring Twenties into the not so gay Thirties. At a young age in the 30's she became aware of the world around her and those harsh years of the depression had a long lasting influence. Her interest would always center about the poverty and hopelessness she saw that could affect people's lives and she strove to help alleviate that wherever she could. Whether that be through activist work, working the lines at a soup kitchen, or donating to charitable causes, she always felt that there was more that she, and others, could and must do to help those less fortunate. She always felt that if people were given that love and caring when they needed it most that they could move on from their situation and that if she could affect one person's life, that person could affect another's life, and the exponential effect of that caring would benefit the many. She never gave up that hope, never.The family later moved to New Jersey, where she was educated and began a career in New York City with Time Life Magazine. There she became a shop steward and organizer with the Newspaper Guild Union. After her marriage to George Nicolau the family resided in Ardsley, NY, and Sutton Manor, New Rochelle, NY, and Washington D.C. She moved to Newport in 1974 and opened the "Irish Dandelion" in the Brick Market Place before retiring and becoming involved with things that were dear to her heart. She is survived by her former husband George Nicolau, two sons Brien Andrew Nicolau and his wife Terri (Wood) of Sandia, TX, and Anthony David Nicolau and his wife Beth Novitsky of Brooklyn, NY; and one grandson, Andreas Nicolau of Brooklyn, NY. She is also leaves behind her extended family and friends in Newport, including her friend and confidant Kathleen Crawford, her "adopted" family Kevin and Miki Quinn and their children Duncan, Telli, Liam and Aidan who often lovingly called her "Grandmother Sheila", and Craig Mulvay who loved to cook her a tasty meal now and then when she was still at home.Funeral services will be private. A celebration of Sheila's life will take place for close family and friends in the late spring when the air is warm, the flowers have returned, and the earth is reborn after the cold winter.Memorial donations in Sheila's name may be made to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue Providence, RI 02907, or any charitable organization of your choice. In addition, Sheila's love extended to our four legged friends as well and the Potters League for Animals, PO Box 450, Newport, RI 02840 would also benefit from your donation.