Obituary of Sheila Trainor

Passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side, in her 93^rd year on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

Sheila was born in Oka, Quebec on June 18, 1931 and spent a good portion of her childhood in Garden River, Ontario before moving to Sault Ste. Marie, where she met and married Terry Trainor.  She was predeceased by Terry in 2016 having been married for almost 64 years.  

Sheila was a loving, devoted and kind mother to her three daughters as well as their husbands.  Sheila is survived by Linda and Rodger Noble of Stittsville, Ontario and Colleen and Jay Richards of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.  Sheila was predeceased by her youngest daughter, Joannie Leffler (2011).  Joannie’s husband, Ray Leffler (Saskia) of Huntsville, Ontario remained a very devoted son-in law after Joannie’s passing.

Sheila was an adoring and proud grandmother of her seven grandchildren:  Ellen & Emily Noble; Ava, Spencer (Alina), and Karina Leffler; Cal & Cailin Richards.  Sheila fervently prayed for her grandchildren, and their success in life is a tribute to her many answered prayers. 

Sheila was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Isabella Smith (Grawbarger), her siblings and their spouses:  Gerald and Mae Smith; Garnet Smith, Phyllis and James Valley and Gloria and Robert MacPherson.

Sheila was also predeceased by Terry’s parents, William and Mable Trainor of Hilton Beach, Ontario and by his siblings and their spouses:  Norma (James Vair, Henry Brownlee); Patrick and Ruth Trainor, Madge Trainor, Eva and David Allison, Edwin and Helen Trainor, Glyn and Dorothy Trainor, Jean and Harry Murphy, Wally and Fran Trainor, Ken and Alice Trainor.  Her siblings and in-laws were not only family but close friends.  She adored all of her nieces and nephews from both the Smith and Trainor families, and was uplifted by their visits, cards, phone calls and gifts, as she was much adored and admired by them also.  Sheila is also survived by her special cousin, Merrill (Joanne) Armstrong of Sault Ste. Marie as well as many other special cousins in Garden River and Restoule, Ontario. 

Sheila was a special Godparent to Lyndon Slewidge (Cindy) of Ottawa, Ontario.

Sheila was a very giving and caring person and attended to people’s needs ahead of her own.  She loved to bake bread and many a friend and relative received her loaves as gifts. She was also known for her famous butter tarts made with St. Joseph Island Maple Syrup.  Sheila was very creative and loved to knit, crochet and made several beautiful quilts.  Yes, she had many talents but her number one priority was family—and the friends she loved like family. She loved to entertain and many wonderful and delicious meals were enjoyed around her kitchen table.

Sheila spent the last year and a half of her life at the Extendicare VanDaele Nursing Home and she always remarked on the excellent care she received while living there.  The family would like to thank the teams of doctors, nurses, personal support workers, cooks and all those who contributed to her care. She was treated very professionally and like royalty, and for that we are eternally grateful. 

Friends and family are invited to visit at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758) on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Funeral Service to follow in the Chapel at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Earl Burke of the Church of the Good Shepherd, officiating. Spring interment at St. John’s Anglican Cemetery in Hilton Beach, Ontario.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the Food Bank or Soup Kitchen in your area, as Sheila didn’t like for anyone to be in need (or bake your favourite dish and share with your neighbour). As well donations to the Extendicare VanDaele Resident Programs, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD Psalm 46:10

(Sheila’s favourite bible scripture)