December 8, 1923 – July 12, 2018

Vera Dorothy Sheehan passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Mackenzie Place, at the age of 94 years.

Vera was the middle daughter of three girls born to Nettie and Henry Toews in Sunny Slope, AB. In 1926, the young family moved to a farm west of Clairmont. When Henry Toews died tragically in 1936, 13-year-old Vera, her two sisters and mother Nettie were left to support themselves in difficult economic times. Due to their sheer determination, resourcefulness, and hard work they survived to be upright citizens and contributing members of the community.

Vera attended school in Clairmont and Grande Prairie. On July 11, 1942, she married Lavern Sheehan, one week before he joined the Canadian Army and was deployed to Europe during WWII. While Lavern bravely served overseas, Vera was employed in a variety of jobs in Grande Prairie. When Lavern returned home, they purchased a farm in Scenic Heights on the Emerson Trail. On April 1, 1946, with all of their worldly possessions in two half-ton pickup loads, Vera and Lavern moved to their farm where they lived for many years.

Vera was not only a devoted wife and mother, but she was also a pillar of the community and could be counted on to lend a helping hand wherever and whenever needed. She was a founding member of the 4-H movement in the La Glace area; an accomplished seamstress, knitter, and crafter; prolific gardener; homemaker extraordinaire; and was famous for her ability to “make something out of nothing.”

Fiercely independent, Vera continued to live on the farm even after Lavern died in 1989. In her later years, she was especially grateful to Simon Berg for his assistance so that she could continue living for as long as possible on “her little piece of heaven on earth”.

Vera was a great believer in paying it forward, lending a helping hand, telling it like it is, and making a difference. She was a friend to many and she lived by her motto: “to have a friend, one must be a friend”.

She is survived and will be missed by her daughter Lynn and son in-law David Breese; son in-law Simon Berg (Linda Weber); granddaughter Jenna Wach (Danny); grandson Travis Sheehan Berg (Shona); great-granddaughters Emerson and Promise; great-grandsons Max and Jet; as well as nieces, nephews and many friends.

She was predeceased by parents Henry Toews and Nettie and George Sayle; sisters Vivian Pratt and Evelyn Feil; husband Lavern Sheehan; daughter Marjorie Ann Sheehan Berg; and grandson Patrick Howland.

Vera’s Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at 2:00pm, at Oliver's Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005 107 Ave.).

In lieu of flowers, please think of Vera and pay it forward by helping someone in need.