Passed away peacefully at Hospice Wellington in Guelph on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in her 82nd year.
Beloved wife of William (Bill). Loved mother of Michael and Meghan. Loving grandmother of Eric and Mara. Dear sister of Janice and Rob. Also survived by Michael and Meghan’s partners, Ruth and Andrew, and countless friends and former students. Predeceased by her father, Robert Ockenden, and her mother, Patricia Ockenden (née Venart).
Sheilagh was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and grew up Dundas. Legally, her name was spelled without the “gh”, but she hated that spelling—she was always Sheilagh, to herself and to everyone who knew and loved her. Education was central to Sheilagh’s entire life. From an early age, she wanted to be a teacher and, after completing her degree at McMaster University in 1964, she joined the teaching staff of Cayuga Technical and Commercial High School (later Cayuga Secondary School). She also met another young teacher on staff, Bill. They married in 1967 and last December celebrated their fifty-seventh wedding anniversary. Sheilagh and Bill moved to Hagersville Secondary School when the new school opened in 1967 and from 1969-1971 taught in Lahr, West Germany, and travelled all over Europe. Shortly after returning to Canada Michael was born. Two years later, Meghan followed.
The family moved to Guelph in 1977. For more than twenty years Sheilagh was Head of the English as a Second Language program at John F. Ross CVI. Her students came from all over the world, and she played an important role in welcoming generations of them, and their families, to Canada. In recognition of her achievements, she was presented with the Award of Merit by the Wellington County Board of Education in 1994. Sheilagh was also an active member of St. Andrew’s Church for many years, including helping the congregation sponsor and support refugees in Guelph. After retiring in 1998 she became a member of Wintergarden Church in Port Charlotte, Florida, and the Friends of the Guelph Public Library. She helped organize the group’s annual book sale to raise funds for the construction of the new main library, now being built downtown.
Sheilagh adored her husband, Bill, her children, Michael and Meghan, and Meghan’s children, Eric and Mara. To her grandchildren, Sheilagh was simply Boopboop (a name Eric gave her when he was learning to speak). She loved to travel, including to Edmonton to visit Meghan, Eric, and Mara, and to London, England, to visit Michael and Ruth. Sheilagh also loved the company of friends and neighbours. She maintained close friendships over decades and was part of a tight-knit group of neighbours on Woodborough Road. Sheilagh loved good food and good company, and she shared these with loved ones until the end.
A celebration of Sheilagh’s life will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11am at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 161 Norfolk St., Guelph. A reception will follow in the church hall.
Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
Memorial contributions to the Chalmers Centre would be appreciated.
A tree will be planted in memory of Sheilagh J.V. McKinnie in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.