SHEILA LESLEY HANAN

Sheila (née Burkmar) Hanan, UE, 70, of Winnipeg, MB, passed away suddenly but peacefully on April 5th, 2026 surrounded by family.

Born in Victoria, BC to Norma and Edward Burkmar, Sheila grew up in and around Victoria. She spent her young years at various schools as the family moved around, and she graduated from Carson Graham Secondary School in North Vancouver. 

After graduation, she worked at Glendale Lodge and Tillicum Lodge where she met her soon-to-be husband, Robert Hanan, in the summer of 1976. They were engaged September 4th, 1976 and were married that same year on December 29th and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this December (2026). 

Robert and Sheila moved to Winnipeg in 1981 just before the birth of their daughter, and settled there with Robert's family close by. She lovingly raised her 2 children in Winnipeg. 

Sheila retired in the 90’s, due to fibromyalgia. She was part of the founders of the Fibromyalgia Support Group of Winnipeg, and spent a year as President of the Group. After she was President, she spent several years teaching classes to help others with Fibromyalgia manage their pain. She very much loved the people she volunteered with at the Group, and fondly remembered her time there. 

Sheila and Robert took in their first granddaughter, Aingeal, and raised her as their daughter in 2001. 

Sheila's last several years were spent doing many different forms of art, but was best known for her crocheting and painting. She earned 1st place for her quilt of a Knight at the Red River Exhibition in her younger years after moving to Winnipeg. She also earned several medals for completing walking challenges; she tried to fit in 3-5 kms of walking most days. These activities helped her manage her pain, and brought her great joy, as did her loving family - all sides of it.

Sheila is survived by her loving husband, Robert Hanan; Daughter Tawnya Hanan; estranged son Ryan Hanan; Granddaughter whom she raised as a daughter Aingeal Hanan (fiancé Logan Guenther), as well as two other grandchildren; sister Donna Poirier (husband Ken); brother Jimmy Geibelhaus (partner Irene), brother Donald Grey (wife Debbie); and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, and her sister Carol Kayter.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made towards a memorial bench in her honour to be placed at the Living Prairie Museum; contact Tawnya, Robert, or Aingeal for more information.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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