Shelagh Mary Thomson

Born on January 6, 1936, in Halifax, to Dr. Ernie and Isabel Doull, Shelagh was known for her outgoing and social nature throughout her formative years. A natural leader, she was elected Head Girl at Queen Elizabeth High School before attending Acadia University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and after, a Bachelor of Education Degree, from Dalhousie University.

Shelagh was a gifted and spirited athlete. While at Acadia, she was a key member of the 1955-56 Women’s Field Hockey Team, which went undefeated to win the Maritime Intercollegiate Championship. This remarkable achievement later earned Shelagh and her teammates an induction into the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame. Her athletic pursuits continued well into adulthood; she was an accomplished curler and represented Nova Scotia at the 1973 Canadian Women's Curling Championship. However, tennis was her true passion. She thrived on the competitive nature of the sport and remained a fixture on the courts until later in life.

Shelagh's life changed significantly after her graduation from Acadia & Dalhousie Universities. She first moved to Montreal to begin a teaching career, but shortly thereafter returned to marry Bob, a Dartmouth boy. While moving from Halifax to Dartmouth might have been considered noteworthy in those days, it was Shelagh’s unselfish decision to assume the responsibility of becoming a mother to Bob's 3-year-old son, who had lost his mother to cancer, that truly reflected her character. This devotion to her family continued throughout her life, from hosting family dinners to having an open door to anyone that wanted to stay at the summer cottage in Pictou Landing.

Shelagh and Bob loved to travel with a wide circle of friends. They enjoyed happy times wintering in Florida, and taking many memorable trips to Europe, the Caribbean, New Zealand and Australia. However, her happiest place was having her extended family with her at the family summer cottage.

Shelagh was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to many, and will be dearly missed. She fought her disease for over three years with optimism, dignity and grace.

Shelagh is survived by her husband, Robert (Bob), her sons Jamie (Debbie), Andrew (Lori), daughter Carolyn (Gareth), sister Barb, brother Peter (Sharon), grandchildren Jennifer (Jake), Marianne (Jonathan), Rachael (Graeme), Matthew, Gregory, and great grandchildren Scott, David and Emma. She was predeceased by her sister Jean.

Special thanks to Hospice Halifax, for their extraordinary compassion and care, Dr. Caitlin Lees, Mitch Devoe, and the Palliative Care Team at the VG Hospital, and Dr. Danny French and the Oncology Team at the QE11 Cancer Centre.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday October 13th at 11 am, at Christ Church Dartmouth, The Reverend Dr. Kyle Wagner officiating. A reception will follow at Brightwood Golf and Country Club, Dartmouth.

In Shelagh’s final unselfish act, she will be laid to rest alongside Bob’s first wife, Grace Patricia Thomson, at Mount Hermon Cemetery, Dartmouth. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hospice Halifax.