Sheila Papa

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It is with the deepest love and tenderness that we announce the crossing over of our beloved Sheila Papa (aka Berto, Bertolucci, Papito, Billy).

Sheila passed away peacefully at home in Iqaluit, Nunavut after 18 months of treatment for cancer. Always positive, she used the time she had to polish her already loving, glowing self. She deeply affected everyone that spent time with her, with her boundless love of life and determination to survive. When the end finally came, she surrendered with such beauty and grace to the infinite, peacefully at home surrounded with the love of her two sisters, Rosalie and Kit, her wife Jamie, and their three adored dogs. Countless friends and family also were supporting from her hometown in Vancouver as well as her many loving friends in Iqaluit.

Sheila’s family misses her deeply. She is grieved by mother Jovita Ursua, stepfather, Luis Ursua, her four siblings; Jocelyn Damkohler, Gerardo Papa, Catherine Papa, Rosalie Lin, and nieces and nephews; Kristoffer Damkohler, Sofia and Matthew Wardal, Sabrina and Braden Papa, Knyx Diaz and Jaecen Legaspi. Also the husbands and wives of her siblings, who have supported Sheila with so much love, and her extended family in the Philippines. A special mention also to her adored grandparents, RIP in Camiling, Emeterio and Aquilina Apostol, who did so much in her early years, helping to raise her into her successful, joyous, loving self.

Her wife and devoted partner of 18 years, Jamie Griffiths, is grateful for every day spent with the love of her life, her soulmate, her rock. Sheila was an enthusiastic supporter of Jamie’s life as a visual artist, filmmaker and photographer. It was their mutual love of photography that brought them together in 2005 when Sheila first met Jamie through experimental darkroom classes at Langara College.

Jamie’s family in the UK grew close to Sheila over the years, supporting their relationship and adventurous life together, especially Jamie’s mother Glenys Griffiths who (despite dementia) always asked after Sheila, her brother John Griffiths’ family, sister Michelle Sammons and brother John Cooke and all the Scottish Griffs.

Sheila was born in Camiling in the Philippines, emigrating to Canada in 1989 at the age of 15, with her family. The youngest sibling, she embraced her life in Canada to the full. Working in the airline industry, she travelled the world, visiting out of the way places; fearless, curious and deeply respectful of people and cultures. She learned languages easily and made many friends along the way, with her infectious joy and laughter. By 2006, Sheila felt a strong pull towards a new career, so she returned to school, gaining her degree in International Relations at the University of British Columbia. She then sought out work that she felt could make a difference to the everyday lives of people in need. In 2014, this eventually brought her and Jamie, to live in Iqaluit, Nunavut, in the Canadian Arctic. Feeling deep respect for Inuit cultural values and learning quickly about life in the North, Sheila immediately found her dream job where she flourished, and they adopted three dogs, bought their first home, and made deep friendships.

Sheila was very special. All who knew her are heartbroken. There has been an outpouring of love and support in celebration of the legacy of her love, passion, wisdom and generosity. We feel her love with us still. We have no doubt that she is joyously travelling still, beyond anything our earthbound lives can comprehend.

When the blossom is shed,

The fruit comes to a head;

When the body is shattered,

The spirit lifts up its head.

~Rumi, Mathnawi, Book I

Every person is a world to explore.

The world inside is as vast as the world outside.

Nothing has passed away and nothing is lost.

Together we are one.

~Thich Nat Han

Impermanence!

~Sheila Papa

Digital Guestbook

Yvette Narlock

Sheila, I always felt the light in your heart and from your eyes. You clearly understood joy and shared it so graciously. Being around you put me at ease with your gentle, playful, humble, endearing spirit. And I always saw deep wisdom in you, like you were just born with it. I was so happy when you and Jamie found each other. Your relationship and love will be an enduring inspiration. Sheila, you are so precious, and I am grateful for the moments in your presence. Love you❤️

Cathie Whittaker

Sheila was super cool - kind, smart, funny and generous. She welcomed me when I moved to Iqaluit to work at my dream job with her. When my family visited me there, she baked us a cake!
I learned so much from Sheila. I valued our friendship and will remember her fondly. Happy to have had a video chat with her not too long ago.

"Those we love are never truly lost".

Wishing you peace and love,
Cathie

Helen Mathias

I didn’t know Sheila anywhere near as well as those of you who spoke such words of love at her funeral service in Ottawa, but just from the few times we did connect I know what an exceptional person she was. As a very old friend of Jamie’s I hold our friendship (albeit distant) close to my heart and therefore the same goes for Sheila. She was one in a million who touched so many, but although greatly saddened that she is no longer in this world, I am truly heartened by the love and integrity she has left with all who knew her. Rest in eternal serenity, joy and laughter Sheila, and love to all who need a bit more right now xx

Lesley Perry

Dearest Shelia
Such a pleasure to spend such happy times here in Ewhurst green with you Jamie & Glenys
May you rest in peace ,
Jamie sending you all our love at this sad time
Thinking of you & all of Sheila’s family
God bless
Love Lesley & family xxxx

Yvette Narlock

Jules

I just heard the sad, sad news. I worked with Sheila many many years ago but still remember how fun and kind she always was. After she left our office I’d still occasionally get to chat with her when she called in to make bookings. It was always a joy catching up with her and finding out how happy her life was. My deepest condolences on a terrible loss for her family and friends ??

Nicole Camphaug

Oh Sheila, how will we even go on without your sweetness in this world? You were so kind, and funny, and patient, and full of love. I will always have fond memories of you, as my neighbour, my colleague and most importantly, my friend. I am deeply saddened by your early departure from our earthly realm and cannot seem to fathom that this world will not have your beautiful, kind soul amongst it any longer. You will be dearly missed, Sheila.
“Perhaps they are not stars but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.” -Eskimo Proverb

Ana Matovinovic

Rest in Peace sweet Sheila..I was fortunate to have met you, worked with you and partied together, when we worked for the airline industry...I will always remember your sweet smile and wonderful spirit.. You were taken way too soon from your earthy body but I just know that you are the free spirit you always were and enjoying all that you are experiencing now...Big hugs to you and your loved ones.

Janet Langdon

I worked with Sheila back in our Vancouver Aeroplan days. It was obvious then that she was destined for broader horizons. I remember when she met Jamie and subsequently when Jamie had an exhibition for Bruce’s work in her Kits apartment. Very fond memories indeed. I was lucky to know Sheila. Sending love to Jamie and all who loved Sheila. Jan & Bruce

liisa hannus

I was in the same experimental photography darkroom class where Sheila and Jamie met, and you could see right away there was a strong connection. It fills my heart to know that they had 18 wonderful years together, and saddens me that they will have no more. The image of Sheila's smile will always stay with me (those dimples!) and I take solace that she is at peace, off on another adventure.