In Loving Memory Of
Sheila Peterson
Sheila Peterson passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at the age of 91 years.
Sheila was born May 17, 1925 in Pilley, a small village on the southeast coast of Hampshire in England. Because all children were moved away from the south coast during the war, she worked as a nanny in Scotland until she was sixteen. At that time, she returned to her home town of Lymington to help with the war effort. She was assigned to an airplane factory where she built pistons for the duration of the war. She remembered fondly working the night shift when there were no supervisors around and she and the other girls would sing at the top of their lungs while doing their “Riveting Rosie” duties. Her future husband, Earl, was a Canadian soldier stationed with his tank regiment along Avenue Road. Since the men had to stay with their tanks, they would stop the English girls on their way to work to give them money to bring bakery goods back to the soldiers. So she was a little bun girl. During Christmas of 1943, she obliged the mistletoe that was hanging over Earl’s head. He left for the Normandy Invasion on the 6th of June 1944, and they did not see each other again until January of 1945. He managed a 10 day furlough and they were married. He returned to France and stayed until the end of the war.
Sheila came to Canada in 1946. She always gave a huge thanks and recognition to her mother in-law, Elevina Peterson, for her help with settling in the wild frontier, as it must have appeared at that time. Very few roads, no electricity, running water, etc.. But she prevailed and became a homestead wife. She quickly learned to garden, preserve food, and bake bread. Her gardens were massive and it took the whole family to harvest.
Sheila was a voracious reader and was instrumental in the formation of the DeBolt Public Library many years ago. She loved science fiction and detective novels. Many of her grandchildren remember being indoctrinated into the adult world in a big hurry when Sheila would put a “Die Hard” movie in while they were visiting without their parents. Apparently Grandma was not the parental guidance the movie jacket recommended.
Sheila also served with the Ladies Auxiliary to the Canadian Legion for many years. She made two trips to France and The Netherlands to celebrate the 45th and 50th anniversary of D-Day. This was very important to her and she celebrated Remembrance Day every year.
Another love was her music. It was not unusual to hear Abba or Nana Mouskouri or Habenera, from Carmen, all the way to the DeBolt Store. Her little trailer would be shaking and you would have to yell at her to let her know you were in the house.
She also worked with the original DeBolt Beautification Society. They would clean the village up in the spring and plant lots and lots of flower pots around the streets and the Museum. She enjoyed this social time with her friends very much.
Sheila also worked as a cook at the DeBolt Hotel for many years, first for the Pushor Family, then the Penner Family. There are many fond memories of her in the community of her turning a blind eye to the shenanigans that she witnessed there and kept completely to herself.
In later years she enjoyed meeting her girlfriends at the Blue Apple Cafe where many hours were spent reminiscing and giggling. Sheila never disclosed a secret nor spoke ill of anyone. She was a true, dear friend to all who knew her.
Mom will be missed by her five children: Lois Iles (Leland), Dawn Chapman (Earl), Michael Peterson (Marcelle), Julia Lawrance (Garth) and Nicholas Peterson (Judy); fifteen grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren.
Sheila was predeceased by her husband Earl in 1987, her parents and her brother, all of her sisters in-law and brothers in-law, and many, many of her dear friends.
Cremation has taken place and Sheila will be interred with Earl at a graveside service in the summer at DeBolt Cemetery.
The family invites all of Sheila’s friends to tea and luncheon at the DeBolt Center on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 2:00pm for a time of reminiscing and laughter.
We ask that any tributes be made in her memory to the Alzheimer Society (#102, 9823 116 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 4B4) or Points West Living – Dunvegan Cottage (11460 104 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 3G9).
The family is so very grateful for the kind, loving care Mom received from the staff on Cottage D. She lived there from the time it opened almost five years ago until her death.

Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Sheila Peterson – May 17, 1925 – December 15, 2016.source

death notice Sheila Peterson – May 17, 1925 – December 15, 2016 – mortuary notice Sheila Peterson – May 17, 1925 – December 15, 2016