Sheila Emily Fearn Parsons

Sheila passed away peacefully at Hogarth Riverview Manor, her home for the past six years.

Sheila was born in Glen Moy, Scotland to William Henderson and Janet Fearn. She was the middle of six children and grew up on Hillside farm where there was always work to do and she had numerous stories of her childhood. She often talked about being a young girl and looking out for the gamekeeper when her brothers were guddling for fish; taking her pony, Biddy, over to Glen Clova for the grouse shooting and having the King of Greece as a passenger on her horse.

During the war, members of the Newfoundland Forestry Service were cutting wood in Glen Moy and this handsome fellow named Manuel came up to Hillside to sharpen saws. After a brief courtship, Sheila and Manuel were married on her eighteenth birthday.

A few days prior to the birth of her first child Olive, there was a raging snow storm in the glen. Sheila’s younger brothers, Frank and Ewan made a sledge (toboggan) and pulled her down to the bottom of the glen to a neighbouring farm, Kinalty, where she could have her baby safely. Together, Sheila and Manuel raised five children living in Kirriemuir, Angus until immigrating to Canada in 1966.

Sheila was a stay at home mother who made the best split pea soup, mince and tatties, raisin scones, short bread, rice pudding and a delicious cup of tea. Sheila was often seen with her bag of wool and needles. She was an accomplished knitter and passed this skill onto her daughters. She was a well loved Granny and Big Granny. There were numerous sleep-overs with the obligatory game of cards and over time she, out of necessity, became a master at Rummy and Crazy 8s.  Saturday night hockey games, soft boiled eggs in an egg cup with toast soldiers in the mornings, and the "hidden" chocolate bars were staples in Granny’s house. As years went on, Sheila enjoyed spending time with family by going out to restaurants for lunch or dinner. As you can probably guess, Sheila was a “foodie”.

Sheila leaves to mourn her, children Olive Kerr (Hugh), Ian Parsons (Rhonda), Yvonne Ruth Pace and Neil Parsons; Grandchildren, Mark Kerr (Julia), Shirley Springall (Victor), Wayne Kerr (Suzanne), Robin Snieder (Jake), Chris Parsons (Erin), Nick Pace (Natalie), Chris Pace (Xuan), Angela Pace (Steve Oster), Elizabeth Parsons (Geoff McCarthy) as well as many great grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings in Scotland, Frank (Isabel), Ewan (Mary) as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband Manuel, son Manuel and grandson, Manuel, brother Bob, sisters Annie and Ethel.

To the dedicated staff on Birch, we are forever grateful for the genuine care, compassion and friendships you displayed over the past 6 years.

Cremation has taken place and a private interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery in the summer. Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.