SHEILA CATHERINE BUTLER

"O Flower of Scotland, when will we see your like again" (Roy Williamson, 1967) Sheila Catherine Butler was born October 14, 1945, in Toronto, to Jean, a lively lass and Thomas Millar, a proud Scotsman. The eldest of six children, Sheila was responsible, friendly, and smart. She was in the gifted program at public school and excelled at Etobicoke C.I. in the "brain class." Upon graduating in 1963, Sheila raised her own education funds towards a degree at Victoria College (now part of University of Toronto). In the summer of 1964, she took a fateful job at the Holiday Inn Resort in Haliburton. It was there that Sheila met Gary. With her curly red-hair, big smile, bright blue eyes, and sense of mischievous fun, Gary was smitten. In many ways her opposite, Gary was a business-minded single child while Sheila was creative and from a large, boisterous family. Still, they shared the same values and soon fell in love. Life partners, soulmates, best friends, and lovers, they started a journey together that endured for 60 years. Sheila followed Gary to Western University planning to complete her degree. There, they made lasting friendships, went to parties, and shared many jokes. When Gary graduated, Sheila left university and obtained a Teaching Certificate from Lakeshore College, having always loved working with children. On August 24, 1968, Sheila and Gary were married at Humber Valley Church in Etobicoke. Sheila worked as a primary grade teacher before family life became her focus. Together, Gary and Sheila's life was filled with the joys that come from working hard, helping others, nurturing humor, saving for a rainy day, supporting their children, connecting with their community, spending time with family, and traveling. Sheila was an amazing mother who dedicated her days to educating her three children: Ginger (Craig), Nicole (David), and Brian (Antonia). A focus on early reading and writing. Crafts and artistic pursuits. Acting, imaginary play, and singing. Instilling the benefits of thriftiness. Cottaging and swimming in the great outdoors. Discovering new foods and cultures. Ultimately, widening their enthusiasm to care about the world. As her children grew older, Sheila returned to school and pursued a degree as a library technician. She followed this with work for the Toronto Public Library and York Region School Board. Sheila was happiest when encouraging children to develop their love of reading through the many drop-in programs she organized. After retiring, Sheila and Gary travelled and took their dream trips to Scotland, England, Ireland, and The Netherlands. Active and social, Sheila immersed herself in the people, the history, and the music. Gary will never forget Sheila taking the mic at a pub in Glasgow to sing a tribute to her Scottish father and the locals naming her "the wee lassie from Canada." When grandchildren arrived, Sheila was exuberant. She was a beloved grandmother to Camille, Maggie, Alice, and Andre. Sheila brought joy to her surroundings. Her home decorated extravagantly for all festivities, her love of fun fashion shown off with vibrant clothes and quirky earrings, the crafts and adventures she tirelessly planned for her grandchildren to experience. In 2020, it was evident that changes to Sheila's health were underway. Mysterious alterations to personality, gait, communication, and multiple falls and broken bones could not be explained. In 2022, Sheila was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare, progressive, degenerative, and terminal disease. Gary, her superhero, took the reins and dutifully and lovingly became her caregiver. She passed away peacefully on September 10, 2025. Thank you to the many doctors, neurologists, PSWs, Wheel-Trans, Amica Bayview, North York General Hospital, who were there to ease the pain of a difficult disease. A visitation will be held at 2 p.m., with a Celebration of Life to follow at 3 p.m., at Ogden Funeral Home, 4164 Sheppard Avenue East, on Saturday, October 4, 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations to the PSP Society of Canada are welcomed.