Sarah (Sheila) McAdam
(née McCollum)

Sarah “Sheila” McAdam (née McCollum)

 

Sunday, July 13th, 1924 - Wednesday, August 7th, 2024

 

Died peacefully in Stratford, Ontario, with family by her side at the age of 100 and 25 days. Born in Belfast N. Ireland to William McCollum and Sarah (née Creighton). The middle of 5 daughters, predeceased by her parents and sisters, Kathleen, Nan and Molly. Survived by Margaret in Australia. Predeceased by her husband Joe (of 31 years) in September 1977. Fondly remembered by her nine children: Noreen (Brendan), Frances (Gerald), Anne (Terence), Kathryn (Kevin), Joseph (Leslie), Angela (Thomas), Kevin (Sharon), Hilda (Gaston) and Judith (Jack), 28 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends spread throughout the globe in Canada, the U.S, Maui, the U.K., Australia and Ireland.

 

Sheila spent the early years of her life growing up in Belfast. She finished school at age 16 and joined the Northern Ireland Civil Service. After marrying Joe in August 1946, she devoted herself to raising her large family with time spent in Liverpool, U.K., Newry, and Lisburn N. Ireland. After Joe’s employer transferred him to Belfast, Sheila seized the opportunity at the age of 48 to return to the workforce and once again joined the Civil Service.

 

Sheila had an adventurous spirit and her resilience was an inspiration to her family, she never let the overwhelming and busy life raising children tie her down. She was a lifelong learner and involved in her community. While raising her family in Ireland, she did a charity walk, studied at night school, she volunteered with Women Together in N. Ireland and was a member of the welcoming committee for the Vietnamese Boat People in 1978. In her ‘spare time’ she took care of her family making jam, soda bread, sewing clothes and knitting cardigans for special occasions. She also made time to read novels and poetry, and she loved to sing.

 

After Joe’s sudden death in 1977, already in her 50s, her adventurous spirit brought her to Canada with her two youngest children where she settled and created a whole new life in Burlington close to her older children who had emigrated years earlier. She worked for 10 years at Sheridan College retiring in her late 60s. In Burlington, she took up Scottish dancing, studied French in her 60s, took up piano, Tai Chi and golf in her 70s and was a regular member of the Church choir at St. Patrick’s Church until a few years ago. She was always curious and passionate about travel. Post-retirement she revved up again and enjoyed many years of travel to Australia, Europe, U.S., U.K. interspersed with frequent trips ‘home’ to Ireland.

 

She always kept up with the times and was not daunted by the latest technology. She rarely missed the weekly family zoom calls (until very recently) and kept in regular contact with friends and family worldwide by texts, email and Facebook. In later years she enjoyed ‘surfing the net’ looking for new travel opportunities and reading the latest news in the Belfast Telegraph. She lived independently until age 99 when she moved to a retirement home.

Sheila had a terrific memory, she was a great storyteller, especially in her last few months. She was the ultimate family knowledge keeper. Her resilience, curious mind, knowledge of family details, adventurous spirit and ability to enjoy life will be missed by all.

The family would like to thank Dr. Reaume and the caring and devoted staff at Cedarcroft retirement residence in Stratford, where Sheila spent her final 7 months and the Rotary Hospice in Stratford where she spent her final hours.

If desired, (in lieu of flowers), donations may be made in her honour to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or The Rotary Hospice in Stratford.

Service Tuesday, August 13th, 2024 10:30am in St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, 196 Kenwood Avenue, Burlington, on L7L 4L8