BGen (Retd) Sheila Anne Hellstrom CD

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Brigadier-General (Retired) Sheila Anne Hellstrom CD, BSc, LLD, a proud Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) veteran and the first Canadian woman to reach the military rank of Brigadier General, passed away in Ottawa, Ontario on December 7, 2020.

The daughter of Albinus and Dorothy (Née Zinck) Hellstrom, Sheila was born January 15, 1935 in Lunenburg, NS and graduated from Lunenburg County Academy in 1953. Her dream to pursue a military career began during the Second World War after hearing many stories about military life from the Norwegian sailors located at Camp Norway, a military training base in Lunenburg.

In 1954, Sheila joined the RCAF University Reserve Officer Training Plan at Mount Allison University. Sheila graduated from Mount Allison with a Bachelor of Science (BSc), majoring in Biology.

In 1956, Sheila was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer and started off her RCAF career in Manitoba as Gimli Station Services Officer. Across her 36 years of service to her country, she completed numerous postings and assignments. In 1973, then Major Hellstrom became the first military woman to attend the Canadian Forces Staff College in Toronto. In 1980, she became the Deputy Director Women Personnel and supported and monitored the Service Women in Non-Traditional Employment and Roles (SWINTER) trials.

Sheila continued to make military history when, on June 19, 1987, she became the first woman to achieve the rank of Brigadier-General and assumed the role of Director General Military Personnel. Brigadier-General Hellstrom’s career culminated in 1989 with a much-loved assignment as Chair of the Committee on Women in the NATO Forces. In the same year, she was also bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) from Mount Allison University, her cherished alma mater.

After her military retirement in 1990, Sheila continued to champion the recruitment and full integration of military women by serving on the Minister of National Defence’s Monitoring Committee on Change until 1994. Brigadier-General Hellstrom also worked and volunteered for many other government and local agencies. Highlights include 22 years with the Ottawa Division, Canadian Corps of Commissionaires in such roles as Board Chair and 5 years as advisor to the Ottawa Police Services Board for women in police services, race relations and employment equity issues. Often described as a “trail-blazer”, throughout her life Sheila demonstrated an unwavering commitment to transformation, diversity and inclusivity.

Sheila was also an active and proud member of the Canadian Nordic Society, a salute to her father’s family from the Aland Islands of Finland. Sheila was also a lover of opera, travelling throughout North America and Europe to enjoy live opera.

An Interment Service will also be held in Lunenburg, NS on October 16, 2021.

Per Ardua Ad Astra

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BGEN (RET’D) SHEILA HELLSTROM

Padre Don Collar

Chaplain Leads Procession:

“ I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25

Processional Music – Marietta’s Lied

Call to Worship:

" I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

Prayer of Invocation

Chaplain - Welcome and Introductory Statements

Eulogy – VCDS – LGen Francis Allen

Eulogy – Comd RCAF – LGen Al Meinzinger

Eulogy – Family – Sgt Richard Akerstrom

Eulogy – Nordik Society – Ms Karin Birnbaum

Musical Selection – Guldet Blev Till Sand

Eulogy – Commissionaires Ottawa – Assistant Commissioner (RCMP) Al Burchill (Ret’d)

Eulogy – Pers Admin Branch – Capt (N) Ret’d Judith Harper

Musical Selection – Puccini – Tosca

Tribute from Volunteers – Capt(N) Ret’d Louise Siew

Journal Reflections – Col Heather Thorne-Albright

Video Presentation

Scripture Reading - Psalm 130 plus selected verses

Prayer

Homily

Benediction

Invitation to Reception by Chaplain

Recessional Music – Cavalleria Rusticana

Digital Guestbook

Per Talgoy

I met Sheila when I joined the Canadian Nordic Society, and always enjoyed her friendly and engaging personality. She was a great help with advice when I served on the CNS board.

Doreen Larsen Riedel

I met Sheila at a Nordic Society meeting, where she greeted me with " Our father's knew each other in Lunenburg when your Dad used to vist the Norwegian sailors and merchant seamen during 1942-44 when his ship was being refitted there during the war." Sheila was always so cheerful and I enjoyed visting her. Women in the Airforce owe a lot to her for being a one of the pathbreakers for them in the forces.
Doreen Larsen Riedel

Sandra Murray

I was a member of URTP at Mount Allison University as well. For a number of years I was the Chair of the Mount Allison Alumni here in Ottawa. At our Alumni dinners I alway made a point of introducing the outstanding Mount A Alumni who attended those dinners. Sheila was, of course, one of those people. I was so impressed by all that she had accomplished. We had some great chats at the end of those evenings. She was a dear soul.

DACE JOHANSON

As a Member of the CNS (Nordic Soc.), I used to watch Brig. Sheila arrive at Wed. Evening Speaker Events at the Officer's Army Mess. She always walked with a cane, and had the stature of a Soldier. We used to chat on those evenings. A Great Woman.

Ross and Ardath Francis

We first met Sheila at Nordic Society meetings, and had many good discussions. We greatly admired her wonderful career in the Air Force and subsequent volunteer activities, although she was always very modest about both.

Marisa De Zotti

She was a great mentor to me. I worked with her briefly. When she worked, she was all business but without being intimidating and during her lunch, she would knit. Showing that you can maintain your femininity whilst working in a predominant male organization. It was a true pleasure having crossed paths with her. Rest with the angels.

Claes Hellstrom

As Sheila´s youngest cousin living her on Aland Islands (Finland), I´m very lucky that we developed a fine friendship over the years. I visited her three times in Canada, the first one was when her mother Dorothy had moved to an eldery home and I went to Lunenburg and helped Sheila empty the house before selling it. We then packed her combi car with whatever she wanted to take with her to Ottawa, most memorabilia and took off for Ottawa. We switched to drive all night and came to her house after about 18 hours.
She also visited us here on Aland Islands 4 times, last time in 2013 and I also met up with her in Helsingfors/Helsinki one time when she was on an opera tour around Europe - that time she visited Nyslott/Savonlinna Opera Festival.

Last time I spoke with her was late summer last year. She was then not feeling so good, had lost a lot of weight as she felt wiped out to even make breakfast. She said "I wish you were closer so you could cook me a nice meal once in a while". When I visited her, I was the chef when we eat home. I had planned to visit her during 2020 but - the Covid 19 struck.

Now Sheila, you´re gone but you remain with me forever. As we always ended our emails;
"Många kramar"
R.I.P.

Col (Ret'd) Nishika Jardine

We will remember Brigadier-General Sheila Hellstrom in our hearts and in our actions as we continue to blaze the trail in her footsteps for all those women who are called to serve their nation as we were.