SHEILA ANN SHORTLY

(née Smith) Died peacefully, surrounded by her family in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in her 96th year on November 3, 2025. Sheila was born and raised in Winona, Ontario, by her loving parents, Leon Lancelot Smith and Roberta Thurston Smith. She was the youngest granddaughter of E.D.Smith, a Canadian Senator and businessman who founded the food company that bears his name. A beloved sibling to brothers, Thurston and Geoffrey; and sister, Marion Morrison, she grew up surrounded by love and affection. Sheila attended Strathallan School in Hamilton and later Havergal College in Toronto. It was at Havergal College that Sheila earned the nickname "Smitch." It was there that her lively personality truly blossomed … Sheila talked nonstop, radiated enthusiasm in all endeavors, sporting and otherwise, and made many of her longtime friends. "Smitch" remained immensely proud of her Havergal days, often donning her school uniform well into her 70s (and taking great delight that it still fit). Sheila met the love of her life, John Lavelle Shortly, at a wedding at Lambton Golf Club. Sheila and John were with other dates that evening and at separate weddings but somehow spotted each other across the room and a lifelong love affair began. They were married in June of 1953 and are survived by their three children, John Timothy (Tara), Ian Robertson (Violet), and Susan Ann (Peter Sainsbury). As well, they had eight grandchildren of whom they were immensely proud. John was a successful businessman and superb athlete and Sheila made sure the fun was never in short supply. Together they were members of Toronto Golf Club, Badminton and Racquet Club, Vancouver Lawn and Tennis and enjoyed many family years of skiing, first at Caledon and then at Whistler Mountain. Travel was a priority and they shared countless adventures around the world, including living in Dubai for a time, and made friends wherever they went. Sheila had the rare gift of instantly connecting with people and making everyone feel welcomed and special. Our Sheila will be greatly missed but will finally be reunited with her loving husband, John, in heaven. May she rest in eternal peace.