Obituary of Patricia Anne Sheils

It is with sad hearts and loving memories the family of Patricia Sheils announces her passing on November 2, 2021. She was the cherished wife for 56 years of Robert (Bob) Sheils and the daughter of the late Harold and Lucy (Aucoin) Sulis.

Patricia was a motivated learner from a young age and always ensured that education was an important part of her life, even when falling in love with the handsome country boy from Nerepis. After graduation from St Vincent’s High School in 1963, she went on to Teacher College and graduated in the spring of 1965. With her education complete and her teaching career on track, she married Robert (Bobby) Sheils in October of 1965 at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Saint John, NB. She began teaching at St Joseph’s School, and soon after the newlyweds made their way to Nerepis to enjoy country living and start a family in their charming little white farmhouse.

They first welcomed a son (Robby), who was born in August 1971, and then their baby girl (Cherie) was born in April 1975. Never far from the classroom yet dedicated to raising her family, Patricia opened a Kindergarten from her home and enjoyed teaching children from all over Grand-Bay-Westfield for several years from the cozy classroom at the back of their farmhouse.

She eventually returned to classroom teaching and was the Principal of Welsford School for a year, then transferred into the Dr. Roberts School in Saint John educating and supporting students with special needs. Over her ~30-year teaching career she also taught at St Patrick’s School, Westfield School, and M. Gerald Teed School.

Patricia loved her family and enjoyed traveling with them to many sporting events, tournaments, and family vacations. She enjoyed her adventure traveling across Canada to Alaska, shopping across the border, and spending winters in Florida. She was so very proud of her children, grandchildren, and their many accomplishments. Special memories were made with adventures to the camp at Little MacDougall Lake, fishing tournaments, and then years of camping trips when her grandchildren arrived. She made special memories for them with tea parties and playing school on her sunny deck teaching cursive to toddlers.

In addition to her husband Bob, she is survived by her children; Rob Sheils (Jennifer) of Darlings Island, and Cheryl Palmer (Brent) of Nerepis, her sister and best friend Linda Doucet (Rodrigue) and family Roddy (Yoana), Marc (Heather Quinn), and Amy all of Saint John, and her special grandchildren; Samantha Palmer, Bentley Sheils, Jessica Palmer, and Bradley Sheils. She also had many special cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424) with visiting on Sunday, November 7th from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Matthew’s Church on Monday, November 8th at 12:00 PM. Guests are asked to show proof of vaccination and bring one piece of ID to attend. For those unable to join us in person, a livestream of Patricia’s Burial Mass will be available on her online obituary. Interment will take place in St. Augustine’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick, or the Rocmaura Nursing Home Foundation would be appreciated.