Sheila passed away peacefully after 91 years of sharing her smiles and happy thoughts with her family and friends. She believed in positive thought, and always believed that “This too shall pass” when facing difficult issues.
Sheila was born in Edgewood B.C. to Francis William and Selina Madaline Ellis. As was common during the era, the family moved to several lower mainland communities, with Brunswick Beach being Sheila’s favorite - where her and brother Bill spent their days exploring the forests, swimming and digging for clams.
At 18, Sheila married George William Gray after many serenades’ of roller skating at the North Vancouver rink. During the War years they lived in North Vancouver where they renovated an old chicken coop into a home that was admired from far and wide. A few years later they moved to West Vancouver where son Craig (1948) and daughter Dale (1952) were born.
Sheila started her working years at the Royal Bank and Maurices’ Restaurant. In the 50’s Sheila and George opened “Carpentry Craft” in Dundarave. Sheila ran the hardware side, and George built the custom-ordered furniture. Later Sheila worked in the credit department in Woodwards and spent her last working years at Eatons at Park Royal.
In 1991 Sheila moved to Nelson to be close to Craig and Dale and their families. In 1996 Sheila remarried and she and Graham Oliver had many fun filled years travelling and visiting family. In 2004 Sheila relocated to Kelowna and in 2012 returned to Nelson and resided at Lakeview Village.
Sheila was pre-deceased by her parents, her brother Bill, first husband George, and second husband Graham Oliver.
She is survived by Craig Gray (Judy), Dale Thomson (Rick), Leah Gray (Ian), grandson Brant Gray (Margaret), granddaughters Natalie Schneider (Blake), Melinda Federink (Mat), great granddaughters Alexis and Brielle Schneider, stepdaughter Barb Handley (Carl) and stepsons Ken Oliver (Pat) and Keith Oliver (Leslie) and their children, as well as nieces and nephews and their families.
Sheila was loved and respected by all whose lives she touched. She was the embodiment of spirit, resilience and elegance.
Our family wishes to thank Dr. David Sonnichsen for his long time care, and Dr. David Lerocque for his dedicated emergency care of Sheila. Thanks also to Janet, Cyndy, Donna, and the entire crew at Lakeview Village for the care and kindness extended to Sheila over the years. Also, deep-hearted “Thank-you” to the Castlegar BC Ambulance crews, Emergency ward crews, Castlegar in-home-care administrations, and VitalAire Trail Division.
As per Sheila’s wish there will not a service. Instead she prefers that people donate to the Nelson Salvation Army. Sheila felt this is a vital charity within the community.
Castlegar Funeral Chapel in care of Arrangements.