Sheena Menzies

Sheena McDonald Kermack Menzies died at home in West Vancouver, BC. She was born in 1942 in Blackhall, Edinburgh, Scotland, to James and Mary Troup (nee Kermack), and is survived by husband, Jim, daughters Susan (Jay) Timmerman and Katrina (Ian) Johnston, and beloved grandchildren Keir and Jill. A middle child [survived by brothers Angus and Duncan (Alison) of Edinburgh] in a close-knit community, Sheena always had a zest for life and was active early on, taking up tennis as a girl. In 1958 she asked Jim to dance at a youth event, the start of their life together. Sheena studied to become a registered nurse and midwife at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and after qualifying in 1965, married Jim in 1966. They started their married life in London, but within a few months saw a newspaper ad for a job in Freetown, Sierra Leone and soon were on a boat to Africa. In Sierra Leone, Sheena's claim to fame was becoming the 1972 Ladies National Singles Tennis Champion. After seven years in Freetown and with a growing family and continued predilection for adventure, Jim and Sheena moved to Canada in 1973, first to North Vancouver, then, three years later, to Kelowna. They spent 29 years in Kelowna, embedding themselves in the community and experiencing many happy times with cherished friends. During this time, Sheena continued to enjoy tennis with friends, got her BSc in nursing and was awarded a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship for her success in raising funds towards eliminating polio. She spent many years in charge of the labour and delivery unit at Kelowna General Hospital and went on to become a hospital supervisor, all while making a home for her family and doing what she could to be there for others. Summer holiday memories were made at Green Lake in the Cariboo with the Parker clan of North Vancouver. In 2006, with characteristic spontaneity, Sheena and Jim moved to West Vancouver to be close to their grandchildren. Their retirement brought many happy holidays, particularly winters in Kauai. Illness attended, but did not define, Sheena most of her life. As a nurse and as a person, it was her warm, caring personality that came through. She was loved by those who met her, often getting hugs from people she hardly knew. Quite simply, she cared with a capital 'C' and all else flowed from this. Most of all she was the centre of her family's world and the light and foundation of Jim's life. Her legacy is a little bit more love in this world. As her final act of giving, Sheena donated her body to medical research and education. Special thanks to the wonderful VCH home care team who cared for Sheena in her final days and to Dr. Maureen Seliski, who provided such great care in the last 15 years of Sheena's life.