Sheila Hawker
Sheila Janet Hawker (nee Fee) in her 91st year passed suddenly on March 27, 2022 at the Foothills Hospital, Calgary, AB. Sheila will be remembered by all who met her. She’s unforgettable! Sheila will be especially missed by her family which she held so dear to her heart: Her son, Brad Hawker (Joanna Barstad). Her daughters, Janet Hawker and Barb Hawker
(Noda Bistihas). Three cherished grand children: Justin Dyer (Lauren Aspden) Son of Janet. Lauren Hawker (Jake Buffam) and Callum Hawker; the children of the marriage of Brad and Kathryn Hawker (Bob Vargo). Sheila’s remaining beautiful sisters, Jean Murray (Edmonton, AB) Barbara Lawton (Ottawa, ON) and so many wonderful nieces and nephews throughout Canada. Sheila is preceded by her dear husband Donald Raymond Hawker. Her Mother Louise Fee (nee Palmer) and father Albert Fee. Sister Aline (Bunny) Mills (Ron) Brother Edgar Fee (Maise) sister Audrey Blair (Hugh) Sister Helen (Gerry). Sheila blessed this earth on Dec. 2nd, 1931 as the youngest of 7 loving children in the beautiful Eastern Townships of Quebec. Growing up in Melbourne, Quebec had many wonderful offerings and freedom to play. As a young child Sheila enjoyed an incredible and close loving relationship with ALL her siblings. She also had a deep fondness to all animals and special love for babies. Happy memories included having wonderful Birthday’s gatherings, sledding parties with a few close friends from school and having them stay for dinner and cake, after tobogganing on their hill behind their lovely home in Melbourne. Countless adventures with her siblings, especially the youngest four often all together (Jean, Barbara Helen and Sheila). As a teen, Sheila was quite a contributing basketball player at Saint Francis College. Sheila also enjoyed learning how to play golf at the Melbourne Golf Club, just up the hill from the family home. Notably, the view from the golf course appeared on the $2 bill for decades. After High school, Sheila moved to Montreal and enjoyed working for the British Trade Commission, in a Secretarial capacity, making many long life friends. It was during this time she met her husband Don, via a blind date set up. The date went so well they were married June 26th, 1954! Sheila and Don enjoyed living in the Town of Mount Royal, until they bought their first home, a beautiful bungalow in Rosemere Quebec, where she and Don did all the landscaping and original gardening to this vast property. Sheila fell in love with the beautiful cottage at 16 Island Lake, embracing the rustic life of cottage living before running water and electricity. Creating more beautiful landscapes, treasured lifetime friendships and so many incredible memories. Sheila had a miraculous way of turning almost everything she touched, into more beauty than of its original form. Whether gardening at her mothers property, refinishing antiques to wonderful extended family festive dinners. Sheila and Don we’re renowned for hosting many gatherings from bridge parties to lobster boils. Many that went well into the night. Sheila devoted her life as a Mother and homemaker and always doing the best for the family. She also volunteered at the Children's schools and was a critical contributor to many 16 Island Lake events, as well as the Canmore Seniors
Association. Sheila created deep bonds with all the people and friendships she created over all the cities she lived, including the wonderful and amazing years in Montreal West, where Sheila took up a new love, tennis. Plus, knitting and curling which she mastered quickly and became a most accomplished curler during the years in Moncton, NB. The call to move West came as the grandchildren arrived. Sheila and Don moved to beautiful Canmore, dedicating her love to her children and cherished grandchildren, along with many more curling bon spiels, tobogganing fun with the grandchildren, until close to being 80. Sheila was also a very accomplished dancer. She and Don enjoyed many Big Band Concerts and were very stylish and connected dancers. It was pure joy to watch them, deepened by the profound connection to music Sheila loved. Sheila’s love for life and endless energy paved the path to her being extremely organized in whatever she dedicated her energy to. All with a full and beautiful loving heart and radiant smile. The gentleness and ease of communicating with Sheila was one that drew in so many. With Don’s failing health, they moved to Calgary. Sheila created a whole other new set of beautiful friends at The Chartwell Colonel Belcher, where she lived out these last 3 plus years, blessing new people she met with her gentle manner and loving heart. Cremation has taken place. Family service of interment will be on June 16, 2022 in the Canmore cemetery where she will be laid to rest with Don. Celebration of Life where family, friends and acquaintances are invited to join together and toast the magnificent life of Sheila, at 1:00 pm on June 16, 2022 at The Canmore Opera House, 400 Spring Creek Drive, Canmore.
