Rose, Sheila

Sep 24, 2025

November 10, 1932 - September 20, 2025

Died at peace and loved in Ottawa with family holding her hand.

Predeceased by her husband Hugh A. A. Rose.  Mother to Hugh Michael (Deirdre Speers) of Ottawa, and Margaret Catherine (Matthew Zadow) of Brussels, Belgium.  Grandmother to Malcolm, Maeve, and Duncan.  

Born in Toronto, a resident of the Toronto Islands.  Grew up in the ‘town’ of Montreal.  Trained in nursing at the Montreal General, class of 1954.  Studied public health at Western.  Worked with the VON in Arvida, New Brunswick, Medicine Hat, Smiths Falls, Toronto, the Niagara region, and Regina.   

She and Hugh were well-travelled in their retirement; spending summers at Skootamatta Lake, and hitting the road or sky shortly after the leaves fell, only returning when spring was nicely established. 

Things our mom hated:

l Irish setters that were the wrong shade of red

l Fish as a menu item

l Any team playing her Blue Jays, especially if their pitcher had the heat

l Technology with buttons and wires

l Liberals and Conservatives in equal measure

l Leaving the cottage for an errand to Cloyne, or especially for the season

l Piercings and tattoos

l Being cold in Canada in the winters, when India, Mexico, the South Pacific, or any part of our big, beautiful world was calling

l Being old, even though she never admitted to anything beyond 39

l Automatic transmission cars

l Rye, but scotch was very ok, as were dry martinis

l Being so far away from her grandkids

In lieu of sending flowers, please take a moment to think of mom on a summer’s day, on the deck of the cottage she built, looking out at the lake she loved, surrounded by people who enjoy a good story. 

 Friends are invited to join the family as we remember Sheila at Hugh junior’s home in Ottawa Saturday September 27, from 2 to 5 pm.  Her ashes will join those of her beloved Hugh.