13-Jan-1931 - 05-Apr-2021
Sheila Hawkins (nee Hogarth).
Born Jan 13, 1931 in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England. The 13th day of the 13th month! Died April 5, 2021, in Penetanguishene, Ontario. Daughter of George and Enid Hogarth, she spent most of her younger years in Brighton and Hove. Trained as an S.R.N. at the Nightingale Training School, St. Thomas’ Hospital, London. En route to New Zealand, she met the love of her life (Joseph) Ross Hawkins in Thompson, Manitoba. Ross predeceased her in 2010. Predeceased as well by brother Patrick (1941) and sister Maureen Brodie (2002). She leaves behind Pam Stein (Moni), Sean, Sarah, Emma, Leah, and Matthew; Patrick (Karen), Rob, Jackson, and Samantha; Paul (friend Ken); sister-in-law Lois Bulloch (James – deceased 1999); nieces Fiona Brodie and Anne Fraser. Sheila and Ross enjoyed many trips around the world by motorhome, cruises, and tours. She was an avid reader, knitter, bridge player, and a volunteer at Hospice Huronia since 1995.
The above was written by Mum (she didn’t want to be a bother, so even wrote her own obit.). Mum led a life of service: always volunteering, she encouraged it in her kids and grandkids, supporting a foster child in her grandkids’ names. Religion and spirituality were important to her—increasingly in retirement, but definitely central before, too. As a family, we attended Christ Church United in the Clarkson area of Mississauga, and for the last more than thirty years Mum has been at St. Mark’s Anglican Lutheran in Midland. Whether volunteering for the Pope’s tour to the Martyrs Shrine in 1984, “high-fiving the baby Jesus” on a family Christmas at Lake Tahoe in 1996, or including “Shalom” in her voicemail message, Grandma’s religious sense was broad-minded, and she spread the word in her own way but especially in her actions.
Also an avid reader, and a diary-keeper in youth and again in retirement, her day would begin with diary writing and Bible readings, and she would talk about whatever she was currently reading. She had loved opera at Covent Gardens while doing her nursing training and renewed this interest through the Live from the Met broadcasts. A tennis player in youth and middle age, she also swam up to the end, doing chair yoga and other fitness at Tiffin House. And everyone always knew not to call if an important tennis match was streaming! She was a great wife, mother, and grandmother, and we’ve been especially touched by all those who say what a great friend she was. Pam said recently, “Mum has no regrets.” She lived a full life, a great life!
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mark’s Anglican Lutheran Church in Midland (www.stmarksmidland.ca) or to Hospice Huronia (www.hospicehuronia.ca). These were Mum’s wishes for donations even before knowing that she would spend her last week under hospice’s wonderful care, with visits and prayers from her church family.
A private Memorial service will be held at St. Marks Anglican Lutheran Church On Saturday April 10, at 1pm.
