Obituary of Sheila Margaret BESTIANICH (nee HARRIS)

January 1, 1930 - Barford Warwickshire, England

March 19, 2020 - Calgary, Alberta

Our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Sheila, reached the end of her time with us last year, succumbing to a stroke. Sheila was born in Barford, England and grew up with her brother, exploring the countryside and villages around her home. Following school, she moved to London where she apprenticed as a hairdresser. Once again following her brother, she immigrated to Canada in 1954, where she met her husband John. Sheila and John spent fifty-five years together, raising two children. She and John enjoyed traveling, camping, hiking, cycling, and cross-country and downhill skiing with family and friends. As a member of the 5^th Dimension Outdoor Club and the Kaleidoscope and Calgary Sketch Clubs, Sheila combined her love of the outdoors with her talent for painting. She loved being a grandmother and continued to be active, despite some physical setbacks. Nothing seemed to slow her down for long. Her last several months were spent meeting new people and engaging in new activities in her retirement home.

Sheila was predeceased by her loving husband John in 2010. She is survived by her children, Michele (Tony) Broadhurst and Paul Bestianich; her grandchildren, Daniel, Tegan and Christopher; her brother Bernard (Barbara) Harris, brothers-in-law, Charles Holder and Ron (Jean) Bosada; sister-in-law Pamela Bestianich and nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind close friends who spent many happy times with her.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Gerard’s Catholic Church (8944 Elbow Drive S.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, August 13, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Refreshments to follow.  Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Sheila Bestianich, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.