Sheila Margaret Douglass

In memory of Sheila Margaret Douglass born May 26th, 1932 died Sept 12th, 2015 predeceased by her parents and younger sister Jean Ogden , Sheila is survived by her sisters Eileen and Pauline, 6 nephews and 7 nieces , their children and grandchildren, brother Andrew, and her dear friend and love, Frank, who brought her so much joy and care in her final years. Sheila was born in York England , the eldest of 5 children born to Reginald & Marjorie Douglass . Growing up during the 2nd world War in Yorkshire, she won a 'Pears soap beautiful baby' award, then went on to do very well in school, being brainy as well as beautiful, achieving a grammar school placement and going on to obtain a teacher's certificate. As a young woman she moved to her favourite place in the world, Cornwall UK and bought a little cottage by the sea. However, the call of adventure and travel beckoned , and she answered an ad to be a Teacher in Keg River AB, Canada, arriving from sunny Cornwall and the palm trees with her little pug dog to -30 and snowy tundra! While in Keg River, she became close friends with Dr Mary Percy Jackson and her husband Frank, pioneers of the northern community . Sheila was instrumental in founding a library in the community and changing the school curriculum to include relevant material for the Native children. After her years in Northern Alberta, she spent hours interviewing Frank & Dr Mary to author 2 books about their lives entitled ' Candle in the Grub Box ' and ' Jam in the Bedroll' . She was an advocate of education and encouragement of children all her life, and each of her nieces and nephews benefitted greatly from her influence , wisdom, stories, personal attention and interesting gifts . During her summer breaks from teaching, she travelled extensively ; back to the UK , to Australia, and spent much time in BC with her sisters Pauline, Eileen and their families. While in Victoria in the 1970's, she was offered a teaching position in Kenya with a Canadian engineering firm, and jumped at the chance. Her 2 years in Kenya provided a life long love of Africa, the people and animals , and she returned 3 times to visit with friends , go on Safari, and have many more adventures. She was a fantastic storyteller and photographer, well read, lively, interesting, and ended up with friends all over the world, all of whom she kept in touch with. After several more years in Canada, she returned to the UK to live in Scotland with her sister Jean & family, so her Scottish relatives could benefit from her influence and wisdom. Her next move was to return back to Cornwall, where she fully intended to live out the rest of her life. She so loved the ocean, the sound of seagulls, being near the water, and took sailing lessons in her youth. However, her love & care for her family contributed to a move back to BC in 2003 to live in Sechelt BC to benefit & influence another generation of children. She lived a few blocks from her beloved ocean, and spent 7 happy years there before moving to Saanich BC to live out her final days near her youngest sister Pauline and other family members. Sheila was wise, outspoken, intelligent, adventurous and always ahead of her time . Kind, generous and loving, anyone who knew her benefitted from her ability to focus on a particular need and spend quality time and care. her favourite quotes were "there has to be a balance in life" and " nobody's perfect" She was a member of the Christadelphian's and an informed Bible student, with an extended church family who also benefited from her wisdom, humour and strength. She is sleeping faithfully awaiting the Return of her Lord. Rest in peace, dear Sister & Auntie. you were loved so much and will be forever missed.

Celebration of Life