SHEILA NASMITH

1940 - 2024 It is with great sadness that we announce Sheila's passing on December 17, 2024, at the age of 84. Sheila passed peacefully at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre with family at her side. Predeceased by her husband Robin, Sheila leaves behind her children, Trevor (Gina), Karen (Phil), Shane (Cody), and grandchildren, Jake, Sierra, Bryce and Maggie. The daughter of Edna and William McNeill, Sheila was born in Toronto. At a very young age, Sheila's father served overseas with the Royal Canadian Army. Idolizing her father, Sheila adopted the courage and stoicism of a "brave soldier", which became a defining character trait that she was known for. As a youth, Sheila's family moved to Montreal where she finished high school, later studying nursing at McGill, training at Montreal General Hospital. Following graduation came an adventurous trip abroad, spending months exploring Europe with girlfriends. After which it was back to Montreal where a new journey began. Sheila met Robin, the love of her life, who was a site engineer for the Canadian Pavillion at Expo 67. It was not long after, (1968), that they were married at her parents' Dunham home in the Eastern Townships. As a young bride, Sheila returned to Toronto in 1969 to begin a family, support Robin's launch of Skican and pursue her own career in nursing with Bell Canada and in later years as a public health nurse for the Borough of East York. Sheila became a mother in 1971 with the arrival of Trevor, followed by Karen in 1972, and Shane in 1977. She embraced her life as a mom and a wife, offering unwavering love and support to her family throughout her life. Sheila was coach, driver, counsellor, confidante, and friend. She inspired and loved her family deeply. She was a decorator, hostess and family matriarch. Always happiest when surrounded by those she loved, her friends, her family and her dogs, Bowie and Jasper. Ever independent and keen to learn, in the late 1990s, tired of watching hockey on TV, Sheila chose instead to learn how to play hockey herself. As a talented figure skater in her youth, Sheila learned fast, made friends easily, and loved playing. Although a decade (or three) in age older than other players in Toronto's women's hockey leagues, she quickly became recognized as a solid blueliner, earning her the nickname "Mad Dog" - a nod to her diminutive size but fierce determination on and off the ice. From 1969 until her death, Sheila supported her husband and then her daughter, in running the family business. Over the decades, her role changed from bookkeeper and administrative support to trip host, investor, and more recently advisor, always able to lend an ear and offer pragmatic insights and calm wisdom. In her later years, after Robin passed, Sheila spent summers at Grandview, her beloved condo on Fairy Lake near Huntsville. She lived a life full of activities with friends and family - always happy to socialize, host, golf, or garden, and was an avid fan at her grandchildren's sports activities. Sheila's kindness, gentleness, tenacity, good humour, compassion, and generosity inspired many and will be deeply and forever missed by her teammates and fans, her friends and her family. Cremation has taken place. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service followed by a reception at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue, at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 2nd. The service will also be live streamed (link to be provided on the Humphrey Funeral Home website). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Sheila's memory to Sunnybrook Hospital. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com