Sheila Christine (Vann) Garlington

On Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 12:42pm, Sheila Christine (Vann) Garlington transitioned to be with the Lord surrounded by family and wrapped in love. She was born on February 23,1961 in Waterbury, CT to Charles and Aline (Gatling) Vann.

Sheila, along with her former husband Larry Garlington, raised a daughter Kia and son Julian; her children and grandchildren were her  joy. Sheila loved sharing pictures of them and she spoke about  her “lovies” with anyone who would listen.

Sheila was a lifelong student and she was passionate about education. She graduated from Crosby High School and then at the age of 51 she went back to school and graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Springfield College; she went on to complete her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. She was so proud of all of the accomplishments of her children and her extended family. She traveled to Georgia and Illinois to celebrate with Kia as she earned her master’s and doctorate degrees.  She was her children and grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader. Sheila was guided by faith and she had a lifelong relationship with our Heavenly Father Jehovah God and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which transcended any religion or organization. She was a dedicated member of Grace Baptist Church where she was unwavering in her charitable work. She loved spending time with her cousins and church family of the GBC Breakfast Club. Sheila was also a voracious reader and one of the founding members of Waterbury based book club Sisters Who Eat and Read (S.W.E.A.R). She maintained close connections with the residents she served on Exchange Place who later became her friends and Bingo partners. Sheila was dedicated to her role as a social worker with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. Prior to DCF, she was a community provider for many years working for over 10 years as a Senior Resident Service Coordinator at Beacon Communities LLC in Waterbury, and for many years connected to Waterbury Youth Services, New Opportunities, and the Department of Labor. Left to cherish her memory are her children daughter Kia Silva and her husband Michael Silva, and son Julian Garlington; her mother Aline Vann, her siblings and their spouses: Charlene Pogue, Sandra and Larry Bogues, Charles David and Doree Connor Vann. She is also survived by three beloved grandchildren they were her joy Destinee, Khari, and Jordan Silva. She is predeceased by sisters Karen Marie Vann, Linda Cheryl Beale, Virginia “Ginny” Iannantuoni and her father Charles Vann. She also mourned the loss of her “sister friend” Marianne Cavalieri Fusco with whom she maintained an over 30 year friendship. Sheila adored her nieces and nephews and a host of cousins and friends who were more like siblings throughout her life. A celebration of Sheila‘s life will be held on Saturday September 28, 2024 at 11am at Grace Baptist Church Waterbury, CT. Viewing will be held in the Church from 10 –11am. Burial will be private on a later day. Colonial Funerals 270 West Main Street is handling the arrangements and James R. Sanders, Funeral Director. Condolences may be expressed at colonialfunerals.com.