Sheila Ann Wild

Sheila Wild, a beloved mother, wife, friend, and family therapist, died at Lions Gate Hospital on Monday, April 15th, from complications of congestive heart failure, pleural edema, and kidney failure. Sheila passed away surrounded by her loving husband, Al, their two children, Aeron and Brendan, and Meg, a dear friend.

Sheila Ann Nachtrieb was born on October 15, 1936, to parents William (Bill) and Marian in Victoria, BC. Growing up in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, (Sugar), Sheila was intellectually curious and wanted an education that would provide her with opportunities beyond those of being a traditional wife and homemaker. While studying social work at the University of British Columbia, she fell in love with Al Wild, a dashing chemical engineer. Sheila earned her bachelor’s degree in 1959 and began her career as a social worker at the Narcotic Addiction Foundation in Vancouver and then with the Children’s Aid Society in Toronto. She was the first female social worker ever permitted to enter Oakalla Prison, where she worked with female and male offenders.

Al and Sheila married in 1962 and became parents to daughter Aeron in 1963. They soon relocated to Montreal for Al’s job at Monsanto, and in 1966 they welcomed their son, Brendan. In 1970, the family moved back to Vancouver so that Al could go back to school and eventually obtain a PhD in marine biology. This was a huge undertaking at 37, but Sheila fully supported this bold decision. For seven years Sheila supported the family, working as a social worker for Children and Family Services. In 1976 the family relocated to San Diego, where Al began work at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. Sheila went on to obtain her master’s degree in counselling and became a Marriage and Family Therapist. When not working, Sheila could be found in her garden.

In 1976, Sheila and her family attended what would become a weeklong annual camp created by the pioneering family systems therapist Virginia Satir. For over 40 years, Sheila and her family attended Satir Family Camp (SFC). Sheila served as the registrar, a role that she loved because she was the point of contact for new and old members, often serving as confidante and skilled supporter when people needed assistance. Sheila was a cherished pillar of the SFC community.

A treasured outcome of Sheila’s decades-long commitment to Satir Family Camp were the close relationships she developed with a group of women, whom she called her “sisters”: Deborah, Faith, Jean, Lollie, Meg, and Nancy. Their loving connection was a cherished aspect of Sheila’s life; the Sisters were a tremendous support to her in her last months and days.

In the 1990s, Al and Sheila retired to Bowen Island in a house overlooking the ocean, a long-time dream of theirs. They spent nearly three decades enjoying the beautiful ocean view, sailing on their sailboat, and going on world adventures with friends. Their travels took them to faraway places such as Egypt, Bulgaria, Georgia, Indonesia, Libya, India, Morocco, Greece, Argentina, the Canary Islands, Uzbekistan, and Russia. When at home, Sheila never tired of looking out her kitchen window to see hummingbirds, eagles winging by, seals and sea lions playing in the waves, and an occasional whale passing by.

Among her great gifts, Sheila was known for her thoughtfulness; acute insights; truthfulness and snark; generosity; sharing of cookies and preparing great meals; love of reading; broad and enduring curiosity; and lasting friendships—Joy, Marjorie, Melanie and Bob, Gary, Dianne and Mike, Syd and Brian, Pam, and Penny. Though not known for sentimentality, Sheila was loyal and had a deep love for her friends and family.

Sheila’s passion for gardening remained strong until her last days. Every day that she was able, she was out in the garden, planting flowers, watering her pots, raking up leaves and pinecones, and arranging fresh flowers for the house.

To connect with Sheila, one only has to walk amongst flowers and her presence will be felt.

Sheila is survived by husband Al, daughter Aeron, son Brendan, daughter-in-law Huyen, step-grandchildren Avery and Leila, nephews and nieces, Vance, Glen, Gary, Deborah, Jennie, Brandon, and Doug.

A celebration of Sheila’s life will be held via Zoom on May 12th from 3–5 pm. We invite all who knew and loved her to join us in honouring her remarkable life and the profound impact she had on us all.