Sarah Lyall SHEEHAN

AUGUST 20, 1917 - JANUARY 24, 2012

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother Sarah (Sadie) Sheehan on January 24th at Nanaimo Regional Hospital with her family by her side. Sarah had a healthy and active life up until three and a half years ago when she suffered a stroke. Sarah was predeceased by her husband Dr. John Sheehan, her three sisters Elizabeth, Margaret, and Helen and her parents George and Sarah Webster. Sarah is survived by her son Stephen, daughters Patricia, Nancy, and Betty (Rick Urquhart), her grandchildren Andrew and Sarah Urquhart, her sister Irene Hicks, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mom was born on August 20, 1917 in Vancouver. She grew up in the Vancouver area along with her four sisters. Mom especially cherished her time spent on Bowen Island with her parents and sisters during the summer. After graduating from school she worked for the American Consulate and at the age of twenty five she married John Sheehan in Billings, Montana. They lived in Kirkland, Washington and after the birth of their first child they moved to Vancouver, where John practiced Veterinarian medicine. In 1959 John purchased a practice in Nanaimo where they raised their family.

She thoroughly enjoyed outdoor activities and spending time with her family at our summer place. Over the years she travelled to many countries and had fond memories of the places she visited. Mom attended the fine arts program at Malaspina College and belonged to art groups in Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay for many years. She also was a long time active member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

During the past three years she has resided at Kiwanis Village Lodge in Nanaimo. Our family is grateful for the care provided by the nursing staff Jennifer, Jolene, and Anne, and the many other care workers on the fourth floor.

A memorial gathering was held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Nanaimo on Saturday January 28th. In honor of our mother, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Kiwanis Village Lodge, or to a charity of your choice.

This obituary was originally published in the Nanaimo Daily News and Harbour City Star (Nanaimo, BC).