Sheila Elizabeth WHITTON

Sheila Elizabeth Whitton (nee Hiller)
Passed away peacefully at home in Collingwood Ontario on Sunday morning, November 26, a month after celebrating her 95th birthday. Predeceased by her husband of 62 years John Leduc Whitton, mother of Heather (Andrew Bodor), Ian (Sandy Bresolin), Douglas and Martha (Christopher Skelton), beloved grandmother of Patrick, Jonathan and Hannah Skelton and Madison Whitton.

Born in Toronto on October 25, 1922, Sheila was the daughter of William Maximillian Hiller and Harriet Robson Hiller and the younger sister of Jean Ernesta Marie (Gordon). Sheila graduated from Havergal College before joining the Women's Royal Naval Service (Wrens) in 1943. She was stationed in London in 1944 and worked as a coder. Shortly after arriving, she was reunited with her Toronto sweetheart Robert Fleming who was an officer with the Queen's Own Rifles. They were married in England several weeks before D-Day where Bob was killed in action. After the war, Sheila returned to Canada and attended the University of Toronto before beginning a career in social work. She was introduced to John Whitton from Hamilton Ontario by friends and they were married a year later in 1950. John and Sheila built a life together in Montreal, Ottawa and Oakville Ontario where together they raised four children, engaged in volunteer work and enjoyed summers in Muskoka and MacGregor Bay. Sheila volunteered for various charitable organizations and served on the national board of the Canadian Save the Children Fund, chairing it in the mid 1960s. In the 1980s Sheila taught part time at Sheridan College in the new Women's Studies program. She thrived on politics and Canadian history. Later in life, John and Sheila enjoyed traveling with old friends and eventually retired to Collingwood Ontario where Sheila established many new friendships. Sheila was a remarkable woman - fiercely independent, strong willed, generous and community minded. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Harry O'Halloran, Dr. Alyssa Boyd, the staff of the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, St. Elizabeth Health Care, Right at Home Canada and Hospice Georgian Triangle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to My Friends House in Collingwood.

A celebration of life was held at All Saints Anglican Church in Collingwood on Friday, December 1, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. For more information please visit www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com