SHEILA MAYHEW (BARR) (HAGEN)

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SHEILA MAYHEW (BARR) (nee HAGEN) Active and vital all of her life, Mom died February 20, 2004 at the age of 91, following a brief illness. She was predeceased by her first husband Lindsay Barr; her second husband Edmund (John) Mayhew, and her daughter-in-law, Lou. She will be deeply missed by sons, Grant, Wayne and his wife Anne, and by grandchildren, Luke, Will, Emma and Graeme, to whom she will always be "Nana." Stepchildren, John Mayhew in England, Hazel Beard in Spain and their families too will miss Sheilas caring involvement, good humour, and sense of adventure. Born in Ireland in 1912, Sheila grew up in the Weston area, lived briefly in St. Catharines and Montreal, and in 1938 began her life together with Lindsay in West Broadway, where for 30 years they were actively involved in the community through Young United Church, Broadway Optimist Community Centre, and many wonderful relationships. She and Lindsay lived simply and well, their greatest pleasure was being with their sons and friends. Mom travelled extensively after Lindsays death in 1970, eventually meeting John Mayhew of Catford, England and married him in 1981 to the delight of all their children. They enjoyed 13 happy years together, during which time her life was lovingly renewed by their relationship, and enriched by the joyful acquisition of Johns children and grandchildren as extended family. Too numerous here to recount, many of Moms life experiences were told with candor and insight in her 1998 memoir "My Door was Always Open," the very title of which speaks to her adventurous nature, her tolerance, her faith, her generosity, and her loving heart. Latterly, Mom maintained her apartment at Shalom Gardens housing co-op where she lived in complete independence and with vitality and enthusiasm. Her love of life, determination to overcome obstacles, her sense of humour and her deep caring for others kept her young at heart. In acknowledgement of her happiness during these years and the sense of community that she derived from her neighbours we will celebrate her life with a memorial service and reception in the multi-purpose room of Temple Shalom, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 7. (Entrance at the rear of Shalom Gardens, 360 Wilton Street at Grant Ave). In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Childrens Heritage Fund, Winnipeg School Division, reference Betty Francis Memorial Library for Cecil Rhodes School, 1577 Wall St. East, Winnipeg, MB R3E 2S5, attn: Tom Bobby. Betty and mom were classmates at Cecil Rhodes. Toora Loora, Mom; Toora Loora Loora

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 28, 2004