Sheila Kerr

Sheila Kerr was known as many things to many people. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, Sheila will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

She was the daughter of Alexander Hastie and Ann Smith-Hastie. Sheila grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Sheila was raised with one brother and one sister. She had a brother, David, and a sister Alexandria. Sheila was usually involved in all sorts of activities with her siblings. She and her siblings experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

As a young girl, Sheila had a number of interests. Like most children, she enjoyed playing and making up games. She was curious about the world around her and was often eager to explore it. In her spare time she liked reading and movies. Sheila's memorable achievements included winning a school prize for reciting the poetry of Robbie Burns. However, to Sheila, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her friends.

On April 15, 1950 Sheila exchanged wedding vows with Douglas Sparling Kerr at Sign of the Gate of Oshawa, Ontario. Empathic and loyal, Sheila was committed to making her new family happy.

Sheila worked hard to be a good mother to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs. Sheila was blessed with three children, two daughters, Heather & Kathleen, and one son, Philip. Another blessing for Sheila was the gift of four grandchildren, Adrienne, Ryan, Wendy, and Alyson and seven great-grandchildren Benjamin, Lola, Aveline, Jack, Nathan, Isabella and Sullivan.

Sheila enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favourite pursuits were curling, golf, dancing, belly-dancing, aqua-fit and singing. She was content to enjoy her favourite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Sheila found pleasure in sports. Recreational sports included curling and golf. Sheila was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite events whenever she had the chance to do so.

Throughout her life, Sheila was a doer and was always actively involved in professional and community organizations. Throughout her later years, Sheila was an active member of the Girl Guides of Canada, United Church Women and Whitby Seniors Choir.

Sheila’s faith was important to her. She was a member of Westminster United Church for 40 years and St. Mark's United Church for 20 years.

Sheila enjoyed travelling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for her to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favourite vacations included her visits to Scotland and cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, South Pacific and Amazon.

Sheila was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of her favorites was Brandy, a Bearded Collie. They were best friends for 13 years.

In retirement, she found new pleasure in the Whitby Seniors Choir and Aqua-Fit. Even in retirement, Sheila continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. Sheila was active in her new community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her.

Sheila passed away on October 2, 2015 at their home in Whitby, Ontario. Sheila died from the effects of Alzheimer's disease. She is survived by her husband Douglas, her children Heather, Kathleen, Philip and their spouses, her grandchildren, Adrienne, Ryan, Wendy, Alyson and their spouses, and her great-grandchildren Benjamin, Lola, Aveline, Jack, Nathan, Isabella and Sullivan. Services were held at Oshawa Funeral Home. Sheila was laid to rest in Mount Lawn Cemetery, Whitby, Ontario.

Simply stated, Sheila was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Sheila leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Sheila Kerr.

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KERR, Sheila Munro (Hastie)

Passed away at home early on Friday, October 2nd, 2015. Dearly beloved wife of Douglas for sixty five and a half years. Mother of Heather Baker (Steve Bedley), Kathleen Brear (Stuart) and Philip Kerr (Sean Breaugh). Fun-loving and devoted Grandmother to Adrienne Falzon (Ian), Alyson Baker-Godsmark (Steve), Ryan Brear (Ginny) and Wendy Betteridge (Mark). Great-Grandmother (Grannie) to Benjamin and Aveline Falzon, Nathan and Sullivan Godsmark, Max and Lola Brear, Jack and Isabella Betteridge. Sheila was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on June 16th, 1927. She immigrated to Canada in 1947 with her mother and brother, following her sister, who was a war bride. She met her husband Douglas at the Oshawa Jubilee Pavilion in January 1948 and they married in Oshawa on April 15th, 1950. Sheila was a dedicated volunteer with the United Church Women, the Home and School Association at Dr. Robert Thornton School, Block Parents, the Swimming program at Glenholme School, and entertaining residents at Fairview Lodge. She was also a Girl Guide captain and a member of the Whitby Seniors Choir. We wish to thank all the PSW’s from ParaMed and Home Instead for their loving care during her long illness and a special thank you to Brenda Pagazani who went far beyond her duties to keep Sheila involved and comfortable. She is resting at the OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West (905-721-1234) with visitation on Tuesday, October 13th from 7 – 9 p.m. and also one hour prior to the Funeral Service in the Chapel on Wednesday, October 14th at 2:00 p.m. Interment at Mount Lawn Cemetery to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name to Lakeridge Health Oshawa, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre or the SickKids Foundation would be greatly appreciated.