The extremely wonderful, dearly loved Sheila Hanson is now at rest. Sheila passed away in her sleep at the Montfort Hospital in the early hours of June 11, 2023.
Sheila was born April 27, 1928, the adorably curly-haired eldest of two daughters to John and Ethel Whiteley of Leeds, England. She grew into a feisty and mischievous girl, the sparkle in her eyes and playful grin on her face evident to her very last day, after 95 years marvelously lived.
As a young girl she lived through the tribulations of wartime Britain, entered nursing school, and met and married the man with whom she would spend the rest of her life, Malcolm Hanson. Not long after the birth of their first child, John, they set sail to make their life in Canada. John was joined by brothers Jim and Daniel, and the family lived for many years in Oakville where Sheila devoted herself to raising her three boys, becoming an accomplished artist, and contributing to her community. She and Malcolm eventually retired to Wolfe Island, and then Mallorytown, where they designed and built their dream retirement home, with stunning gardens and panoramic views overlooking the St. Lawrence River. They spent the last decade living in Ottawa, Sheila continuing to move at remarkable speed with flair, when she wasn’t draped in an armchair, reading a book with a nice mug of tea.
Sheila was a devoted partner, loving mother, avid gardener, and talented weaver and potter, who won awards for her artistry. A voracious reader - it was practically impossible to pick a good book for her that she hadn’t already read. She delighted in pets, and they loved her in return. She was smart as a whip, determined and focused, and was one tough cookie. She will be greatly missed by Malcolm, John, Jim, Daniel, and her six grandchildren, all of whom had the great fortune to know her. We loved her very much. Bless her.