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SHEILA MAUREEN LUGTIG (HASSELL)  Obituary pic

SHEILA MAUREEN LUGTIG (HASSELL)

Born: Dec 22, 1932

Date of Passing: Mar 25, 2014

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SHEILA MAUREEN LUGTIG (nee HASSELL) December 22, 1932 - March 25, 2014 On Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at Victoria General Hospital, Sheila died peacefully of cancer at age 81. She is survived and will be missed by her children Susan, Joni, Sarah and Orest; by her grandchildren Daniel, Tanya, Noel, Tobin and Yuki; and by her great-grandchildren Nicholas, Jack, Shannon and Luke. She will also be lovingly remembered by her many cousins, nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews across Canada. Sheila was predeceased by her daughter Lisa (2003) and husband Don (2007). She was also predeceased by her parents William and Louisa, and by her siblings Eileen, Alan, Jacqueline and Joy. Born in Burnaby, British Columbia, Sheila grew up in Vancouver. She was only 10 years old when her own mother passed away from cancer. This was a very difficult time for her as a child, but ultimately the experience strengthened Sheila's belief in the importance of family. She kept this core value close to her heart all her life. Sheila had a great sense of humour and loved to make people laugh. As a young woman, she would often switch places with her identical twin sister Jacquie, and no one would be the wiser. Jacquie and "Jill" (as Sheila was known then) were indistinguishable from each other, something the twins took full advantage of. It was in 1953 when Shelley (as she was know through most of her life), working as a meteorologist in the Air Force, met Don - the love of her life. Six months later they were married, and together they raised four beautiful daughters whom Sheila loved more than anything. She was very proud of all her daughters' accomplishments and supported them with words of love and encouragement throughout their lives. Sheila loved children. She doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was always so happy to spend time with them. She passed on her love of music and the arts to them, taking them to Concerts for Kids at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Rainbow Stage and enrolling them in art classes at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Classical music was a lifelong passion for Sheila. A WSO season ticket holder for more than 30 years, she loved nothing more than to attend concerts, recitals, the opera and music festivals across the country. She especially loved to watch her daughter Sarah perform at flute recitals and was deeply invested in the Winnipeg arts community. She was a master bridge player, having been taught the game by her father, and helped found the Selkirk Duplicate Bridge Club. She was a talented and effective bridge teacher, working out of the Tuxedo Bridge Studio well into her seventies. She was a voracious reader and a self-taught knowledgeable person on so many subjects. She was an artist as a younger woman and spent many hours by the lake painting. She was a seamstress and meticulous in her work. She sewed many wedding dresses, wedding quilts and baby quilts over the years for her many precious family members. Sheila loved antiques and collected many beautiful pieces and with that came a love for home decor. She reupholstered furniture, painted, wallpapered - you name it, she did it. She was a great hostess and loved to entertain; of special note were the Christmas family gatherings at Selkirk with multi-generations playing charades and loving it! Until recently, Sheila hosted the family Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter dinners at her condo on Lilac St. Sheila loved to travel, and went to BC and Alberta every year to visit her sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews. Every summer she would travel to Ottawa for the annual Chamber Music Festival. She flew to the Caribbean with a friend, took a road trip to Texas, and in 2012 she travelled to Japan for her youngest grandson Tobin's wedding. Sheila's family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Singer (family), Dr. Rabson (cardiologist) and Dr. Taraska (respirologist) for their care and expertise during the last few months of her life. As well, special thanks to Dr. Thorlakson, Dr. Penner, Dr. Young, and the dedicated nurses and health care workers on 5 North at Victoria General Hospital. A memorial service will be held at Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor Avenue on Tuesday, April 1 at 10:00 a.m. Please allow time for parking. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving of your time, resources or talents to an organization of your choosing that benefits children and/or the arts.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 29, 2014

Condolences & Memories (12 entries)

  • I grew up across the street from Don in Gates,NY. Don's brother Doug was a good friend. I'm sorry to hear of Shelly's passing. I have tried to keep up with the Lugtig family. I still remember Don from the old days when he sold Fuller brushes, I can still picture him walking down the street with brooms over his shoulder. - Posted by: Jack Johnson (friend) on: Apr 03, 2014

  • To express sympathy in the loss of your loved one and to let you know that many thoughts are with you and your family. In the love that surrounds you, may you find strength. In the memories you cherish, may you find peace. With caring thoughts Miro and Pharmacy staff - Posted by: Miro Cerqueti and Pharmacy staff () on: Apr 01, 2014

  • Shelley is so alive in my heart - loving, caring, radiant, so generous with her effusive spirit ... Love to you, Shelley ... Fly free - Posted by: Ariole K. Alei (Friend) on: Mar 31, 2014

  • When I think of Mrs. Lugtig, my memories that come to mind are that she was a very loving, patient and kind soul who would welcome you into her home with loving arms. My sister Maureen was good friends with Lisa so I was lucky to get to know the Lugtig family. My thoughts & prayers go out to all of the families. I pray that your Mom & Dad & Lisa are together taking care of the family here. God Bless & take care...Marilyn Loutit - Friend of the family - Posted by: mMARILYNmARTILYN mKKKKKKKKKKK () on: Mar 30, 2014

  • As did many others, I met Shelley and Don through bridge. I always felt blessed to be included in the Christmas parties which always included charades. In the early seventies several trips to and from Selkirk and Pinawa took place as well as several trips to play at various tournaments. We enjoyed bird watching and other naturalist activities and especially enjoyed Shelley's trips to the Whiteshell, one of her favorite places. When we both got a little older, we had to cut back on the physical activity but still enjoyed it all. When I was very ill in St. Boniface she visited regularly bringing good cheer, treats, and really keeping me going. I will miss her. - Posted by: Janet Rogge Dugle (Dear friend) on: Mar 30, 2014

  • We are sorry to hear of Shelley's passing. She was our teacher at Tuxedo Bridge for a few years and we think of her every time we play. She was amazing and instilled in us a true love for the game. We will miss seeing her at the Chamber concerts. Barrie and Sally Cranston - Posted by: Barrie and Sally Cranston (Two of her Bridge students) on: Mar 30, 2014

  • Growing up when My Aunt And Uncle would visit,this women always broke down walls and was outgoing to me and my family she was always bubbly outgoing and fun to be around,I will never forget my Aunt a very special person,to all of us. - Posted by: Douglas Lugtig II (nephew) on: Mar 30, 2014

  • I'll be on a plane to Italy on the day of Shelley's memorial service, but I'll be at the church in spirit. She was a special person. It will be no surprise that I met her through bridge and came to feel I was her friend. She will be missed. My deepest sympathy to all her family. - Posted by: Sylvia Philipps () on: Mar 29, 2014

  • We won't beatify our Aunty Jill, but we sure did enjoy her, and Uncle Don, and their lovely legacy, their tough-minded, soft-hearted children. Her laugh could dismay the devil. I learned a lot from Aunty Jill about how to treat people, but here's just two of those things I learned: #1. I am special #2. Everyone is special. - Posted by: Dennis J. Hassell (Nephew) on: Mar 29, 2014

  • Shelley has been a very special friend of our family for many years. As neighbors in Selkirk we enjoyed chats and cups of tea on Shelley and Don's porch while birdwatching in the grove of bushes just outside. Our children attended school with Lisa, Susan, Joni and Sarah. While grandson Danny lived with them it was fun to watch him climbing on the playing tree which Don had left specially for play. (Don loved and respected growing things. Every poplar shoot became a tree and all the daisy patches were saved as he mowed the lawn around them.) We were privileged to be part of the Christmas season charades evenings and I know that each of us in both families have humorous memories from those times. In more recent years I learned bridge skills from the person I called 'the best teacher in Winnipeg'. Shelley was skilled and patient and able to relate to any player at any point of development. For awhile I played with the Selkirk Bridge Club which was founded on Shelley's values of fun, friendship and support for everyone. Since our move to Winnipeg in 2011 Shelley became part of our New Years Eve group. We are all happy that we took the party to Shelley's apartment in 2013. Ray and I also attended Manitoba Chamber Orchestra concerts with Shelley until early winter when mobility made that impossible. She always knew the music intimately and usually knew the guest artists also. She was a great companion as she shared her love of music, art, nature and much more. Being a friend of Shelley was a rich experience and we are among the many friends who will miss her very much. We offer our condolences and love to Susan, Joni, Sarah and all the family. WE are very sorry that we will not be back in Manitoba in time to attend Shelley's memorial service. Dorcas and Ray Wehner - Posted by: Dorcas and Ray Wehner (Longterm friends and neighbors for many years) on: Mar 29, 2014

  • Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal. - Posted by: The Baiers (Norwood neighbor ) on: Mar 29, 2014

  • Sheila once astonished me with stories about her childhood friendship with Glenn Gould when she was a youngster in Toronto. I will miss her warm and elegant presence in our building and at our social events. - Posted by: Rita Johnson (neighbour at The Brussels) on: Mar 29, 2014

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