Obituary
On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, Sheila Horler Palmer passed away at the age of 96. Sheila was born on October 13, 1923 in Leeds, Yorkshire, United Kingdom to Algernon and Evelyn Webb.
When WW2 broke out, Sheila, a teenager eager to help, signed up with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (W.A.A.F) driving heavy trucks. It was during this time when she met the love of her life, a RCAF medical officer who treated her for chicken pox, changing her life forever. The story she loved to tell was that she took one look at him from her hospital bed and knew that was the man she was going to marry.
She married Dr. J. Gordon Palmer on November 6, 1943. Sheila came to Canada as a war bride in 1946. The next 55 years were spent in Toronto until her beloved “Gordie” passed away in 2000. Despite dire warnings of making any sudden changes, within 5 months she moved to Calgary to be closer to her daughter, granddaughter and other extended family – never looking back. She made many friends and continued with her annual “Welcome to Spring” Tea Parties which had become legendary in Toronto.
Sheila was very creative and was happiest when she was working in the garden, flower arranging, creating beautiful clothes with her sewing skills, and volunteering. She also produced many beautiful needlepoint pictures and cushions that friends and family members still treasure.
Sheila was preceded in death by her loving husband Gordon Palmer and their son John Palmer. She is survived by her two children Edward Gordon Palmer (Helene) and Mary Sheila Bennett (Gord Noland), granddaughter Jennifer Glover-Brown (Houston), and extended family members Leeann, Lisa, Lindsay, Erin, Taylor, Oliver, Bridget, and Finley, as well as cousins in the U.S. and England.
Many thanks to Dr. Eisner, the Palliative Care Specialist Janet, and others who looked after Sheila with care and compassion during her brief time in Unit 44, Foothills Hospital.
A graveside service will be held later in the year in Toronto.
To send flowers to Sheila’s family, please visit our floral section.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sheila Horler Palmer October 13 1923 March 4 2020 (age 96)..
Death notice for the town of: Calgary, Province: Alberta