Sheila Susan Madden, 79, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. 

Born on March 8, 1947, in Charleston, SC, Sheila was the daughter of the late Ida O'Rourke Madden and the late Thomas Madden, Sr. 

Sheila retired from the US State Department in 2015 as an overseas payroll specialist. She thoroughly enjoyed her career there, providing her with opportunities to travel and train personnel in multiple embassies. Sheila was a talented artist until a rare vision disease made it impossible to continue. She then discovered ballroom dancing, where she spent many happy years learning routines and competing at a high level. There were few things Sheila loved more than animals, opening her home to countless dogs over the years and taking care of many neighborhood cats and other wildlife.

In addition to her parents, Sheila is preceded in death by her brothers, Thomas Madden Jr. and Patrick Madden. 

Sheila is survived by her nephew, Thomas Madden (Kim) and cousin, Colleen Sample. 

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the animal rescue organization of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, (843) 884-3833.