SHEILA NORMAN

Sheila Norman (née Hemphill) passed away peacefully at West Park Manor on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

She will be loving remembered by her children; Kathy, Susan (Jim), Heather (John) and Brian, her grandchildren Derek (Kimberly), Kelly (Michael), Robyn, Katelyn (Jordan), Anna (Ted) and Leah (Richard) and great grandchildren Henry, Nova, Thomas, Linnea, Tasmin, James, Sammy, Elias, Millie, Oscar and her Sister in Law Una (Verne) Evans and Sylvia Norman as well as our extended family on both sides and her many dear friends. Predeceased by her parents John and Myrtle (nee McConnell) Hemphill, husband Philip Norman, her sister Joan (Nick) Yarish, and her husband’s sibling Richard (Patricia), Maye, Ethel (Vaughn), Marion (Dave), Frances (Norman), Joyce (Wally), and Fred (Joan).

Sheila was born on October 13, 1928, in Strathroy, ON, where her father was a United Church Minister and then the family moved to a new parish in Selkirk, MB. Due to the unfortunate death of her father, John, the family then moved to her mother’s hometown, Hamiota. She graduated Grade 12 from Hamiota school and then continued her education in Winnipeg, first going to nursing school for a couple of years and then changed careers to attend Normal School to become a teacher.

Sheila’s first teaching position was in Powerview-Pine Falls School (1949) and then moved to Piney School (1950) to continue her teaching and finished her career as a teacher at Sprague School. She spent over 40 years teaching generations of families in Piney, Sprague and surrounding areas and was always involved in school activities and projects. Teaching was her greatest passion; she valued every student, encouraged them to learn from mistakes, sparked their curiosity, and nurtured their unique strengths.

Sheila was a lifelong reader and learner, always looking for new and interesting topics to discuss and share her opinion on. She was actively involved in the Pine Valley Echoes history book and loved reading or hearing stories of family’s histories.

Shortly after moving to Piney, Sheila met the love of her life Philip Norman and in 1951, they were married Hamiota MB where she grew up. Mom and Dad lived on the family farm in Piney, Manitoba and raised their four children there. Sheila made the move to 455 Westwood Drive, Winnipeg in 2013 and started a new phase in her life, gaining new friends and activities. She loved to entertain, especially large family gathering and summers were spent having family and friends come stay with us, filled with lots of visiting and stories shared.

Sheila loved meeting new people and had many lifelong friends made from all times of her life. Mom had numerous hobbies such as cooking, sewing, gardening, and traveling. Mom traveled across Canada from coast to coast, visited family and friends in USA and traveled to Birmingham, England to visit her Granddaughter Kelly and her family as well as visiting her ancestral home outside of Milford, Ireland.

Sheila was very family orientated and kept a calendar with all the family’s special dates, births, marriages, and deaths and was diligent in keeping the details accurate, she had a phenomenal memory, and we all called on her if we needed any dates. A special time of year for Sheila was Thanksgiving, gave her an opportunity to celebrate all family and friends at the family farm.

Sheila was involved with community activities such as the Community meals program, Women’s Institute, Piney School reunion, and Blueberry festival to name a few.

The family would like to express our gratitude to all the staff at West Park Manor for the wonderful care of our mother.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 2 to 4 PM at Le Marché St. Norbert, 3514 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg, MB. R3V 1A1. The building is a fabric structure so dress for the weather. Parking is free and available behind the venue.

If you wish to donate, please send a donation to:

Piney Community Cemetery,

c/o Mr. T Bjornson,

PO Box 135,

Piney, MB, R0A 1K0.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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