Sheila R. Bologna (nee Ringrose), of Greenwich, CT passed
away April 16, 2025 at the age of 90. Born in Plainville, CT on
January 12, 1935 to Vincent and Frances Ringrose, Sheila was
predeceased by her beloved husband, Dr. Ralph A. Bologna.
She is survived by her loving sons, John (Patricia), Justin (Lisa) and Kenneth (Deirdre), cherished grandchildren, Owen, Ryan, Robin, Ralph, Anne and Campbell, her dear siblings, Vincent Ringrose (Carol) and Kathleen Walsh (Edward), nephews Michael, Patrick, Daniel (Margaret) and Vincent (Trish) Ringrose, Brendan Walsh (Marisa), her sole, beloved, niece, Megan Walsh, as well as five grandnieces and grandnephews and a number of cousins.
Sheila initially attended Plainville public schools before earning
her high school diploma from Mount Saint Joseph Academy
(“The Mount”) in West Hartford, CT.
She studied at the Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists in Boston and worked in a dental practice for several years before deciding to switch to a career with more opportunities to interact with people who would be happier to see her and whose mouths wouldn’t be propped open. Sheila received her degree in elementary education in 1960 from Central Connecticut State College and moved to Greenwich, where she taught sixth grade at the old Glenville School, now the Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center, until leaving in 1963 to raise her family.
Sheila intended to return to teaching but in the mid-70s she became the receptionist and bookkeeper for Ralph’s ever-busier optometric practice. Sheila did teach faith formation for a number of years at St. Mary Parish in Greenwich, where she was a member of the St. Mary Ladies Guild, serving several terms as the group’s president. She occasionally attended church at Sacred Heart, St. Roch, St. Agnes, as well as St. Mary in Stamford, with her sons and their families, but remained loyal to Saint Mary.
From her mother, Sheila inherited a love of roses and enjoyed tending her large garden with different varieties, including bushes transplanted from her childhood home in Plainville. She treasured her Irish heritage and was especially proud when her nephew, Dan Ringrose, a balladeer, performed in annual St. Patrick’s concerts at Greenwich Library. Sheila and Ralph embarked on a memorable tour of Ireland with her siblings and their spouses, followed up, on Ralph’s insistence, with several trips to Italy. She particularly enjoyed visits to the Vatican, Assisi, and the Shrine of St. Gerard Majella, the patron saint of expectant mothers, to whom she prayed for intercession throughout all of her pregnancies.
The family would like to thank Lean and Lucy, who lovingly assisted Sheila during her final months, as well as JP Muir and his team at Health Care Connectors for their caring support.
To honor Sheila’s life, family and friends will gather on Tuesday April 22, 2025 from 4:00-8:00pm at Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home, 134 Hamilton Avenue, Greenwich, (203) 869-5968. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00am Wednesday April 23, 2025 at St. Mary Church, 178 Greenwich Ave., followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Greenwich.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation
to Malta House or Gladney Center for Adoption.