This past Saturday, our dearest mother, grandmother and friend continued on her next journey. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family and friends, as her grandchildren sang to her.
She was born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, to Arnold and Doris Kidd who ran The Trolley Diner. She grew up an “Air Force Brat” with the family posted to Ottawa, Quebec, Edmonton and Winnipeg. While working in a law office in Winnipeg, she met her future husband Brian. Brian was smitten from the start as he asked her to marry him while on their first date. Many months later she said “Yes” and in 1959 they tied the knot. Four children soon followed, and she settled into raising the family. In 1972 an opportunity opened up for Brian in Calgary as a City Solicitor. They packed up the family and headed west that summer. In 1974 Sheila returned to school, ultimately obtaining her BA from the University of Calgary. She became an active volunteer, from running a successful mayoral campaign to becoming President of the Calgary Birth Control Association. Always a strong advocate for women’s rights, she was also active in charities, especially those focused on assisting the disabled. In 1979, her love of dogs prompted her to purchase her first Scottish Terrier. She fell in love with the breed and soon became a breeder and active member of the Dog Show Circuit. Assisted by Kyra Dennis, they built Stalwart Kennels into a well-known and respected operation, known internationally. Sheila enjoyed her dogs, wintering down south in Arizona, her lobster cones at Kinjo and visits with family and friends all over the world.
Sheila is survived and lovingly remembered by her four children, David (Heather), Kyle (Yolanta), Kathie Earnshaw (Doug), and Drew; as well as her seven grandchildren, Iain, Kristie, Jacklyn, Shayne, Alexandra, Jessie, and Liam. Sheila is also survived by her siblings, Roy, Lenora, and Leonard; as well as her cousin Ruth Lawrence. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Brian, and daughter-in-law Erika. The family would like to thank her palliative team and Cochrane Home Care for their compassion and kindness.
A Celebration of Sheila’s Life will be held at the Al Azhar Shrine Centre, (5151 101 Street N.W., Calgary, AB), on Monday, April 10, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations being made in Sheila’s memory directly to the Easter Seals Alberta, (103, 811 Manning Road N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 7L4).
Messages of remembrance may be left for the family at www.southcalgaryfuneralcentre.ca
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