Obituary of Sheila Anne Thackrey

July 30, 1946 – Milngavie, Scotland

November 9, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Thackrey, Sheila Anne (nee Kennedy), beloved wife of Stewart Thackrey for 56 years, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the age of 78 years.

Sheila was born on July 30, 1946, in Milngavie, Scotland, to Jean and Robert Kennedy. Sheila and Stewart first met in 1962 and married in March 1968. Shortly after, they immigrated to Canada to start their new life together.

Setting up a home base in Ontario, Sheila and Stewart started their family by welcoming the arrival of Ken, and then Lorna. During the summer of 1980, they packed up the station wagon and moved their family across Canada to Calgary, AB. A few short years later, they added the final piece to their family, Kirsty.

Sheila was always proud of her children and would support them in every way that she could, whether it was driving them to music, dance lessons, soccer games, year-end concerts, or recitals. From fundraising to cheerleading, she played an active role in everything that they did.

Extremely proud of her Scottish heritage, Sheila took on multiple roles within the Highland Dance world, from gear sales with the CHDA, to organizing the dance events with the Calgary Highland Games. She was always in her element when participating in these.

She also played an active role in the Judy Schey Highland Dance School for both Judy Schey and later, after Judy’s passing, for Lorna. She would type and send newsletters, host fundraisers and be on the organizing committee for trips to Scotland. She was known to many dancers as ‘Muma Sheila’.

In Canada, left to mourn Sheila is her husband Stewart, son Ken (Vicki), daughters, Lorna (Shaun) and Kirsty (Brian); granddaughter Kennedy, as well as numerous friends who were like family to her. In Scotland, Sheila leaves many friends and family mourning her loss, including her brother David (Mary), nephew Stephen (Tait), brother-in-law Andrew Thackrey (Isobel), niece Esther (Alastair and Eva), and nephew Richard (Githa and Skye). She was predeceased by her father Robert and mother Jean.

Mum, it has been a battle for you with dementia and we have missed your laugh, your smile, your voice, and most importantly ‘you’ for many years. There is some comfort for all of us that this battle is now over and that you can rest in peace. We will love and miss you always and forever.

The family would like to thank the care staff at the AgeCare Bow Crest Continuing Care Facility in Calgary.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to your local Alzheimer’s or Dementia societies so that we can help to find an even playing ground for this disease.

A Private Cremation for the family has taken place.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Sheila’s family here.

In living memory of Sheila Thackrey, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.