September 13, 1931 - September 4, 2021
We are heartbroken over the passing of our
wonderful mother Sheila. Sheila passed away
peacefully at home on September 4, 2021, just
nine days short of her 90th birthday. She was
predeceased by husband Jack, and will be deeply
missed by her children Sandra (Alan) Turner, Geoff
(Susan) and Todd (Jennifer), and by six adoring
grandchildren Jessie, Natalie, Sam, Allie, Will and
Josie.
Sheila was born in 1931 in Salmon Arm, B.C. to
parents Edward and Eileen Twentyman, and raised
on their family fruit farm. She and her much-loved
sister Betty would play among the apple trees
when the chores were done. In 1951, she moved
to Vancouver to attend St. Paul’s Hospital to obtain
her nursing certificate, followed by a lifetime
memory of jaunting around Europe with three
great nursing friends. She returned to get her
Public Nursing degree at UBC, and practiced as a
community nurse in Vancouver.
Sheila and Jack married in 1960 and built the house
of their dreams on Bayridge Avenue in West
Vancouver, where they spent 40 wonderful years
raising their family. She continued her community
nursing work as well as a myriad of volunteer
efforts. Sheila cherished her time at St. Francis-inthe-
Wood Church and all the friends she made
there.
She treasured her time spent with family, especially
Sunday dinners, noisy holiday gatherings, Hawaiian
vacations and “mystery trips” with her sister Betty’s
family, the infamous MacKinnon clan of Sidney,
B.C.
Those who knew Sheila will remember her as kind
and caring, easy-going, smart and spunky. Time
spent in her garden and the outdoors was golden,
and she instilled the importance of family in her
children and grandchildren. She loved to laugh and
had the gift of lifting the spirits of everyone around
her. Many were inspired by her quiet, humble
determination to overcome adversity and embrace
all that life has to offer.
Due to Covid restrictions, the family will be holding
a private memorial service for invited guests at
11:00 a.m. on September 18, 2021 A streaming link
will be available at that time for those who would
like to share the celebration of Sheila’s life
remotely, at www.stfrancisinthewood.ca/live
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the MS Society of
Canada would be greatly appreciated.
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