Sheila Madeline Joseph

We share with great sadness the passing of our mother, Sheila Madeline Joseph, August 22, 2025. She died peacefully, surrounded by her four children, at Ty Watson Hospice House in Port Alberni at the age of 93.

Sheila was born Sheila Madeline Cuffy on April 26, 1932, in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The oldest of three, she was loved by sister, Stella and brother David, or Bunny as they called him. In 1960, she immigrated to Vancouver, Canada to marry Winston Joseph who was studying at the University of British Columbia to become a teacher.

She moved with Winston to Port Alberni where she would pride herself in raising four independent children. She immersed herself in the community she would grow to love. A member of the Catholic Women’s League and an ongoing contributor to mass at Holy Family Notre Dame Roman Catholic Parish, Sheila contributed to bazaars and bake sales. She was happiest behind her sewing machine where she fashioned tailor-made dance costumes for her daughters and grand daughters.

The kitchen was her canvas as she was an exquisite cook. She kept her culture alive by cooking and baking traditional Trinidadian dishes for family and friends, and the family was never short of freshly baked bread every weekend of the year. A voracious reader, Sheila was a participant in her book club up until the age of 93. Her eye for makeovers rivalled any renovation reality show as she transformed her houses into loving homes. She was content watching travelling shows that took her to places she had never been and was grateful for the travel she did do earlier in her life.

Her garden was her haven, with beautiful and colourful dahlias, hydrangeas and stunning heather that bloomed in her carefully curated yard. She enjoyed singing in the choir and short road trips, especially the Sunshine Club’s mystery tours. She had an impeccable sense of style without paying for that style. Sheila was an avid second-hand store purchaser long before it was trendy to do so.

Sheila is predeceased by her husband of nearly 60 years, Winston, and survived by daughters Jay (Nick), Judy (Bob) and Janis; son, Peter (Shelley) and grandchildren Jessica, Sam, Thealia, Elhe, Myles, Michael, Madeline, Kristin, Josh, Riley, Dominique, Fin, Darcey and Jordan. Sheila is survived by her brother, David Cuffy who resides in Trinidad.

A celebration will be held on her birthday, Sunday, April 26, 2026, at a location to be determined.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of Timberline for their never-ending support to Mum and family and the staff at Ty Watson Hospice House who kept her comfortable until she passed. We would also like to thank the staff at West Coast General Hospital who took extremely good care of Mum. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Sheila’s name can be made to Ty Watson House, 2649 2nd Avenue, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 1Z8.