Sheila Margaret Laidlaw
1931-2019
It is with sadness that we announce the death of Sheila
Margaret Laidlaw on September 24, 2019 at Hospice House
Fredericton. Born on December 2nd,
1931 in Edinburgh, Scotland, she was the daughter of the late Robert
and Jessie (Mackay) Laidlaw and sister to the late Moira
Laidlaw.
Sheila graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1953 and
following her graduation was hired by the University as an Assistant
Librarian. In 1957 she immigrated to Toronto, Ontario where
she held a position as Librarian with the University of Toronto. In
1978 Sheila worked off and on for several years as the Library
Consultant for Bermuda Collage where she spent many happy months
setting up the new Library. In 1981 Sheila accepted a
position with the University of New Brunswick as Director of
Libraries. In 1992 she became a Library Consultant with the University
of South Pacific (Fiji, Cook Island, Western Samoa and
Tonga). Following all of her years working as a Librarian
she became a self-employed wood turner for her own enjoyment and that
of her friends. Then deciding she wanted to get back into the work
force she held the position of Project Coordinator –
Fredericton Task Force on Seniors.
Sheila was always involved in her community and her
church. She held various positions as a member in such
organizations as the American Library Association, the Canadian
Library Association, Fredericton Society of St.Andrew’s, the
Canadian Federation of University Women, Canadian Girl Guides of
Canada, the Tri-fold Guild, the Parkinson’s Society
Fredericton Chapter as well as the Maritime Region, she was
instrumental in recommending to the City of Fredericton that a Seniors
Centre should be opened on the South Side, hence Stepping Stone
Seniors Centre came to be. Sheila was named Senior of the
Year at the Stepping Stone Seniors Centre in 2012. She was
one of the original members of the City of Fredericton Age Friendly
Organization.
Sheila was a member of Christ Church (Parish) Church for many
years where she acted as a Lay Reader, a member of Vestry, a member of
Anglican Church Women, the Bible Study Group, and was a regular reader
at Sunday services. In recent years she became a member of
Christ Church Cathedral where she attended services when she was
able.
Sheila will be remembered by her long-time friend, Sharon
Simms, her brother-in-law John Laidlaw, his three adult children,
Fiona, Alison and Colin all in Australia, and her cousins Nancy and
Kathleen in Edinburgh, Scotland as well as many
friends.
Special thanks are extended to Drs. Gordon MacDonald, Dr.
Paulin, and Dr. Sainz and the staff at Hospice House for their gentle
and caring ways for Sheila during her last days. And a
sincere thank you to Judy O’Donnell, Administrator at
Farraline Place and her staff for their daily attentiveness and
kindness to Sheila during the seven years she lived
there.
At Sheila’s request, there will be no
visitation. A memorial service will be held at Christ Church
Cathedral on Tuesday, October 1st, 2019 at
2:00pm. with Dean Geoffrey Hall officiating and the Venerable John
Sharpe assisting.
In lieu of flowers, Sheila had requested donations be made to
Farraline Place or Hospice House, both located in
Fredericton.
www.mcadamsfh.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sheila Margaret Laidlaw..
Death notice for the town of: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick