Obituary of McMANUS-OSHANEK – Sheila Anne

December 10, 1953 – April 27, 2011 It is with great sorrow we announce that, on April 27, 2011, Sheila McManus-Oshanek passed away following the onset of a sudden and unexpected illness. Great courage and fortitude was displayed by her throughout her final journey which was supported strongly by family and friends. She was considered young, healthy and vibrant a few weeks before. Sheila was born in Calgary, Alberta on December 10, 1953 where she spent her youth and early adulthood. Compelled to find a place to call her own she set out on her own to discover Kimberley and Cranbrook; eventually settling in Cranbrook where she lived for nearly twenty years. Sheila met her husband, Barry Oshanek, who also migrated to Cranbrook where they spent the last fifteen years together. Important to Sheila was keeping in touch with her friends and family in both Calgary and Cranbrook which entailed spending many hours on the phone. Her life was balanced between social activities and enjoyment of her home life. She always had a book within reach as she loved reading. As well she enjoyed watching movies, TV and listening to music. Over the years she attended many musical concerts and other live artistic presentations. Animals were always close to her heart and a dog and cat were included in her family. Sheila was a compassionate, loving and kind individual as known by her friends and family. She will be missed by many. She always presented herself in a professional manner with a sense of class and dignity. Some of her traits were indicated by her support and interest in helping the elderly and the disadvantaged as well as care and concern for animals. She volunteered at the food bank for an extended period of time in Cranbrook as well as earlier times at the Calgary food bank. She sat on a workplace donation committee, which provided support to a dog rescue of more than sixty animals from a neighbouring community. Other interests include cross country skiing, biking on the rails to trails community path, rafting local Kootenay lakes and travelling to favourite spots of Hawaii and Las Vegas. Besides her loving husband Barry, Sheila is survived by her brother Chris and sister-in-law Barb McManus, nephew Sean and niece Laura, all of Calgary; relatives in England; cousins Anne, Vasula, and Margarou and Uncle Chris. Sheila was pre-deceased by her parents Patrick and Beryl McManus of Calgary. The family would like to express gratitude for the expression of love by friends throughout the culmination of Sheila’s journey, as well as to the professional health care workers at the Foothills hospital who were malleable and caring in their approach to help make the journey tolerable and as easy as possible. There will be a service in her honour held at McPherson’s Funeral Services in Cranbrook at 2200 – 2nd street south on May 14, 2011 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent to the Cranbrook or Calgary Food Bank, or the SPCA. Please forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com In living memory of Sheila McManus-Oshanek a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.