SHEILA EILEEN ALCOCK (TATE)

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SHEILA EILEEN ALCOCK (nee TATE) June 3, 1917 - January 5, 2006 With deep regret we announce the sudden passing of Sheila, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, in her 89th year. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband John; sons, John (Diane), Gerald; son-in-law Michael O'Flaherty; brother Ross (Verna) Tate; sister Norma (Robert) Morris; in-laws, William MacKenzie and Jean Tate; her four grandchildren, Shannon, Megan, Ryan and Thomas; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her daughter Susan O'Flaherty; brother Keith Tate; sister Audrey Grant; and sister-in-law Joyce MacKenzie. Sheila was born at Oak River to Norman and Amy Tate, the second of five children. She attended school in the Pas, graduating in 1935 and was the recipient of the Governor General's Medal. In 1937 she entered the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1940. After a brief period in private nursing she opted for a more exciting career and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corp. Eventually she was posted overseas to the No. 11 Canadian General Hospital Taplow, where she was assigned to the surgical suite on June 6, 1944. She remained there until May 1945 when she had a short period of service in Germany. There she assisted in the care of the severely debilitated victims liberated from the concentration camps Belsen and Buchanwald. At the war's end she returned to Winnipeg and was posted to ward duty at Fort Osborne Military Hospital where she met her future husband John. She returned to civilian life in October 1946. Sheila and John were married in August 1947 and the following month sailed back to London, England. She spent most of the next two years as a trauma nurse while John pursued Graduate Studies in Medicine. On returning home, the next 10 years were spent raising her family. She returned to part-time Nursing at Deer Lodge Hospital in their Cardiac Care Unit in 1958, resigning in 1974. She always felt most rewarded helping those who were in distress. For the next eight years Sheila worked as a tax preparer for H R Block. In 1982 she decided to further her academic career enrolling at the University of Winnipeg and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Throughout her life Sheila was active in sports, her three loves being curling, golf and bridge. She was an avid traveller, and, with her husband John, enjoyed visiting many parts of the world. Sheila enjoyed a full and rewarding life and a loving family. We are thankful for the time we were able to share with her. She will be greatly missed. A celebration of Sheila's life will be held at 2:00 p.m., January 9 at the St. James Anglican Church, 195 Collegiate St. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. The family would like to thank the ICU Staff at the Grace General Hospital for their compassionate care. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 07, 2006