Sheila Arlene Letson

Sheila Letson died comfortably in her beloved Hornby Island home listening to the birds and watching the weather play out over Lambert Channel and the Vancouver Island mountains beyond. With family at her side, supported by friends and guided by the wonderful Hornby Island health community, Mom died with love and dignity. The eldest of 3 children, Sheila was born at the height of the Great Depression in North Vancouver to teacher/principal Gordon Bennett and Louise Bennett (nee Storey). Sheila grew up swimming in the Capilano River and spent entire summers with her paternal grandparents on Gabriola Island. Together these experiences forged her love for the west coast and her devotion to nurturing multi-generational family connections. When her mother became ill for several years during her teens, Sheila learned in short order how to sew her own clothes, knit and cook for her father and siblings. These caring skills honed out of necessity eventually formed the bedrock for raising her four children and were key in her mother figure roles to so many people throughout her lifetime.

Sheila married her high school love John Harry Leroy Letson in 1953, and together they raised their children in North Vancouver, spending any free time in their treasured second home “Camp” at King Edward Bay, Bowen Island. Sheila was an enthusiastic board member of the Pacific Northwest District of the Unitarian Universalists in the 1970’s and 80’s. The feather in Sheila’s volunteer cap was spearheading the fundraising campaign that enabled the purchase of the current North Shore Unitarians' church. All this industry was delivered with sharp practicality, a wicked sense of humour, her famous fresh bread and endless knitting projects.

Upon John’s early retirement in 1976, they eventually moved fulltime to their Bowen Island home and leaned into island life. In 2004 they left Bowen Island and settled on Hornby in the house her father built in the early 1960’s. Sheila’s Hornby roots ran deep and the family feels so fortunate to honour her wish to die there. Mom’s paternal great grandfather was an early settler building and farming the property that is now referred to as Westview Farm. Her stories were endless, one of which related Hornby islanders celebrating the end of WWII with a bonfire on Shingle Spit beach.

Mom, Gran, Auntie She, She-She, Sheila will be remembered for her compassion, love of games, her magic mix of thrift and stunning generosity, the decades of riotous, delicious dinner parties delivered with ease. She also knew how to dig her heels in. She was a force. Thank you to Hornby Locum Dr McDermott, Dr Froehner and the MAiD team, to caregiver Celia for helping us with the last few days, and to dear Hailey for your weekly visits with Mom. She adored your company and your Ollie stories. Sheila is predeceased by her husband John, and her brother John Bennett. Sheila is survived by her sister Joy, her children Leanne, Sally, (Peter), John, Mary (Cameron), and her four grandchildren: Sara (Mike), Jeremy (Bailey), Charlie and Joe and her great granddaughter Shayla.

A celebration of life will be held early in 2026.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Dying With Dignity Canada.