Sheila Mary Winnifred Pither (nee Moores) was a mother, grandmother, friend, teacher, traveler and activist. She passed peacefully on September 19, 2022 at her home in Vancouver.
Sheila was born on October 5, 1932 to Arthur and Ann Moores at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, close to her home town of Big River. Sheila came to Vancouver in 1948 where she graduated from Kitsilano high school in 1950. She married Bill in 1951. They travelled to England, other parts of Europe and Africa on their honeymoon and came home to have and raise a family of 4 boys. Once the youngest was in school, Sheila continued her education, on a part-time basis initially, and obtained a teaching degree from UBC.
Sheila was passionate about, her family and friends, travel, the arts and her work. A woman that was always interested and moving forward.
Sheila lived to assist others through her work. She was an activist for high quality education, labour rights and seniors’ rights. Her 5 trips to Namibia to advise and assist teachers fighting for better working conditions allowed her to combine two of her passions. She held leading positions in several organizations throughout her life. Sometimes these positions were paid and sometimes they were not. These efforts caused her to receive, the Fergusson Award and Honorary Life Membership from the BC Teachers Federation, Honorary Life Membership to the Retired Teachers Association, Council of Senior Citizens’ Organization of BC – Life Member and Woman of Wisdom and Passion – Vancouver Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma along with special recognition from the Jewish Seniors Alliance for her work with Council of Senior Citizens’ Organization. Always pushing for more care and equality in this world. Integrity with a soft heart but a tough fighter for her values. A leader that will be dearly missed.
Sheila travelled to China and she took numerous trips to her favorite destinations of Hawaii, the UK, and Alaska. The typical Christmas gift to the family was a week long trip to “Where are we going to go this year”. Sometimes a cruise to Alaska or Mexico, sometimes a flight to Newfoundland, the southern states or elsewhere, sometimes a BC road trip. More recently, with pandemic travel restrictions and other factors, Sheila was spending a lot of time at her Gabriola Island home. She loved to breathe the ocean air, watch “the mood of” the ocean and the humming birds at the feeder.
She was a long time subscriber to the Vancouver Symphony, Vancouver Opera and the Arts Club Theatre.
Sheila is survived by her sons Mike, Steve, Greg and Jeff, Jeff’s wife Norma and their 2 children Mathew and Dylan. She was predeceased by her parents and elder siblings, Arthur and Freda.
This link will take you to a BC Labour Heritage Centre 2019 interview with Sheila https://www.labourheritagecentre.ca/oral-history/sheila-pither/ .
Funeral and graveside services followed by a reception will be held at Valley View Cemetery on October 4, 2022 beginning at 2:00 PM. 14644 72 Ave. Surrey, BC.