Sheila Fast

August 09, 1928 – March 08, 2021

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our mother Sheila Estelle (Walker) Fast.

Devastated by her passing are her daughter Cheryl, her sons Richard (Gloria), John, and Malcolm (Lisa), her brother Robert (Winnie) Walker, and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and her dear friend Val Fast. Mom was predeceased by her husband Diedrich (Dick) Fast, her daughter Barbara, her parents Andrew and Dorothy (Bradburn) Walker, her sisters Marguerite (Peter) Bogard and Mary (Martin) Harvey, and her brother John (Anita) Walker.

Mom was born in Prince Albert and raised on the family farm in the Russellville District, south-east of PA. Mom was known for her sense of fun and her quick wit. In her own words she wrote, “It hailed the day I was born. Great, driving sheets of icy marbles that flattened my father’s ripening crops and dashed his hopes for a bountiful harvest. The story of the hail was related to me by my parents a few years later. About that time I was also told about their choice of my name. It seems I was named after two horses. These were not just ordinary horses but champion Clydesdales that my father had shown at the Toronto Royal Fair in his younger days. Sheila O’Ballig and Lady Estelle had won first prize as top team. I’ve always liked my name and I’ve always been grateful I wasn’t named after some of the other horses we had on our farm. The lesser animals were dubbed more commonly. I remember Scamp, Buck, and Wahoo quite vividly and I’m eternally grateful I was not named after them.”

In her youth mom was a gifted student and her expertise on the ball diamond was very well known in the area. After graduating from high school she went to work at PA Bottlers and then the Prince Albert Sanitorium. She met dad and they married in 1952, moving first to Clarkboro, then to Bradwell, where dad spent the next 33 years working for the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. During this time their children were born and, in addition to raising her brood, mom perfected the art of fried chicken and rhubarb pie. She loved her family and was devastated by the tragic loss of her daughter Barbara in 1969. It was something she never really got over.

Mom was active in the Bradwell community. In the winter you’d often find her at the curling rink and in the summer she’d frequently be found watching local ballgames. From 1976 – 1982 she was employed as the manager of the Bradwell Co-op where she increased sales and turned a profit every year for 6 consecutive years. For those of you who stole gas, (you know who you are), you need to know you weren’t fooling her. In 1982 mom and dad retired and moved to Emma Lake where they spent the next 13 years golfing, curling, and fishing. In 1995 they moved to Saskatoon after dad suffered a debilitating stroke, which would eventually lead to his passing in 1997.

Mom was always interested in family history and throughout her retirement years she made a few trips back to “the old country” to rekindle relationships with her father’s clan. She always loved the sound of bagpipes and the sight of those “big” horses, but nothing put a smile on her face quicker than the sound of a grandkid’s voice. Whoever coined the term “love is a verb” was thinking of mom. She will be missed.

We would like to express our thanks and gratitude to the staff at both St. Paul’s Hospital and Stensrud Lodge. Your support and kindness have been greatly appreciated.

Covid restrictions have made it difficult for all members of the immediate family to be present for a service in the immediate future. An appropriate Celebration of Life, when all who loved mom can attend, will be planned in the future.