Sheila May Ferris

     Passed away at the Carberry Hospital on Monday, December 31, 2007. Sheila was born in Neepawa, Mb. on June 23, 1941 and lived her childhood and teen years in Langruth, MB., where she enjoyed her friends and CGIT and discovered Elvis Presley.

     Sheila moved to MacGregor in 1958, where she went to work as a bookkeeper for Lye’s. Soon after, she met Doug Ferris and they married in March 1960; they had 3 children, Cheryl, Neil and Leah. She worked hard at making a home, until Doug’s untimely death from cancer in 1971. Left with 3 small children, Sheila had to return to work, upgrading her education in accounting before joining the Municipality of North Norfolk as Assistant Secretary Treasurer in 1977.

     In 1979, Sheila met a new neighbour, Jim Houston, who had moved in just down the street. They have been together ever since. Throughout her life Sheila was an avid curling fan both on and off the ice and loved to watch baseball and hockey. She was strong-willed, focused, very organized and also very private. In addition to her husband’s death, Sheila suffered more than her share of troubles.

     In 1977 her father died, in 1985 she battled breast cancer and won, in 1987 she sustained a serious head injury after a fall and in 1989 her mother died. The 1990’s were kinder to Sheila, although she continued to have difficulties due to the head injury and decided to take early retirement in 1996. Not working, however, didn’t mean sitting. It just meant she could spend her time on pastimes she enjoyed. She looked after her house and yard, did puzzles; traveled with Jim especially enjoying time in York Factory; crocheted; sewed for her grandchildren; began quilting and learned to watch 2 baseball or hockey games at the same time.

     In 2002 Sheila was again diagnosed with cancer, this time bowel. Her determination was more important than ever as she stood strong against this new assailant. Years of battling eventually took their toll and finally even Sheila’s will was overcome by the tenaciousness of the disease. She was fortunate to have had a relatively good quality of life until close to the end.

     Sheila was predeceased by her husband Doug and parents Sverre and Margaret. She leaves to mourn her passing Jim Houston and family; children Cheryl (Dean) Garrow, Neil (Maxine) Ferris, Leah Ferris (Marty Chamberlin); sister Betty (Willie) Robinson, brother Roy (Norma) Johannesen, Margaret; grandchildren Aidan, Celine, Tevin, Braiden, Tamera, Wyatt, Bowen and Nicole.

     A memorial service was held Friday, January 4, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. in the MacGregor United Church with Rev. Quentin Robinson officiating. Honourary Pallbearers were Herman & Beth Weber, Craig & Heather Thompson, Denis & Ruth Jeanson, Wes & Karen Turner, Janice Lamb and Tom Tunski. Interment followed in the MacGregor Cemetery.

     If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, Manitoba R1N 0K8 or to the Carberry Palliative Care, Box 2000, Carberry, Manitoba, R0K 0H0.

     Clarke’s Funeral Home, MacGregor in care of arrangements.