Sheryl A. Kapelos, age 64, of Melrose, lost her battle with two terminal illnesses and passed away on December 12, 2020 with her friends by her side. Sheryl was born and raised in Melrose, and graduated Melrose High School in 1974. Some courses taken at Northeastern University came later. Sheryl was an original type person and all throughout her life she definitely went by her own rules. She was a happy-go-lucky type and tried to be positive about everything. She loved people and was always trying to help them, whether it was family, friends, or strangers. She also loved animals and seemed to have a special bond with them. She had many different types of pets. She loved swimming (was a fish in the water) -even helped people who were drowning. She also adored all types of dancing. Where her family lived/she grew up - was a wonderful life with all the fantastic families who lived there - especially the Grady's and Coyes'. She was always quite adventurous. Teenage dances in Melrose from Canteen at the "Y" to Bycoda at the Church (Melrose Highlands). To Knoll, the Bowling Alley, horse back riding, Friendly's, Brigham's, Tri-Hi-Y Parades Participants (2 years), Walk for Hunger (2 years). At age 14 first concert with her girlfriend at the Boston Garden. More concerts/theatre plays all throughout life. Volunteer at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital and then Normandy House (helping elderly) for a bit. Also at 14 (for 6 years), she began to volunteer work at the 735 Hotline in Melrose (was) and loved it - with two other friends. There - she later became a Supervisor and learned so much about life and people. She always credited that place with putting her life in a positive direction. Later in life she volunteered at the Servant's Heart Food Pantry/Faith Evangelical Church in Melrose for three years. She was also an avid online activist for many, many years to fight to help life and the earth. Her work life was always changing. She allowed herself to learn a job and at some point and moved onto the next one. A definite job jumper before it was acceptable - but she loved that ability. She climbed the ladder in many fields beginning with all types of secretarial, then moving onward and upward to Software Specialist, Programming, Loan Officer, also taking over the Directors position in MIS Department (called IT today) and a Director position in Accounting. Her last job she just wanted to give back and worked at a group home helping the elderly - giving out medications, other medical needs and helped out where needed. During her life there were tons of people, love, travel, happiness, adventure and challenges. Her life was almost always a very happy one and loved the adventure and challenges. She always felt and said that she had a wonderful, wonderful life - with no regrets (other than her wanting to do more). Her success is only because of all the people that came into her life. She was thankful for them all. Ms. Kapelos was the former wife of Philip Hogue of Texas. She was the daughter of the late Eleanor Isabelle (Demers) Kapelos and the late James George Kapelos of Melrose, MA. She was the sister of Karen I. (Kapelos) Leonard and husband Steven of Gilford, NH, the late Christine M. (Kapelos) Smith and the late husband Bobby of Winthrop, MA, Cindy J. Kapelos of Arlington, MA and Kim K. Kapelos of Houston, TX. A very, very proud Aunt of Jacquelyn N. Smith, Brianna D. Dawes, Godson/Frankie J. Kapelos and his wife Marissa, Kristin N. Careta, Vanessa R. Careta and Vincent A. Careta. Due to Co-vid 19, there will be no wake. She will be having a closed service with her family only through the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, MA 02176. Please leave any comments on the 'Gately Board,' or send a card to sister, Cindy Kapelos, 70 Sylvia Street, Arlington, MA 02476. No phone calls please. Also, she has a strong wish that instead of flowers, just please, please treat every human being as an individual and be respectful and kind to them all.