Sheena Howie Duncalfe (nee Williams)

It is with great sadness that we, her family, announce the loss of Sheena Howie Duncalfe (Williams), born in 1934 in Carberry, Manitoba. She passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 29, 2023 in Brandon, Manitoba, at the age of 89 years.

Sheena spent her childhood on the farm with her parents and her younger sister, and often told stories of their adventures. She was active in the church and enjoyed skating and baseball. She blossomed into an accomplished pianist and singer...talents handed down by her dad and shared with her community and church all her life.

After high school she attended school in Winnipeg to become a teacher, and in 1953 married her husband of 51 years, Lloyd. They had four children and eventually settled their sizable family into a new home in Brandon's east end. There, Sheena taught school briefly, but eventually decided to stay home to raise her family.

Her children remember doing crafts with their mom, tobogganing in the winter, spending the day at the beach in the summer, baseball games and piano recitals, and the groovy 70's outfits she sewed for the girls! She passed along her love of music to her family as well as to her many piano and organ students through the years and served as organist and choir director at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church for over 25 years. She also played and directed the Lions Manor choir for years, in memory of her mum, whose loss she felt greatly.

Sheena had a welcoming smile for all who knew her and embraced all her sons - and daughter -in-laws as her own. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren wholeheartedly and always gave them the biggest hugs!

She loved curling and golfing. Happy days were spent at the cabin or going on camping trips. Later, she and Lloyd travelled in their camping van and flew to the west coast for their holidays.
Sheena had such a nurturing heart, always thinking (and worrying!) about others. She devoted much time first to the care of her parents, and later to Lloyd when his health was poor. After losing Lloyd, she moved to the Lions Manor where she enjoyed an active social life and welcomed visits from her family.

She loved her pets, family gatherings, black licorice, and her afternoon soap opera. She taught us well by giving her all for her family, unconditionally. She will always be in our hearts.

You gave so much...rest now, Mum, Grandma Sheena.

Sheena was predeceased by her parents, Ethel, and Blake Williams; her loving husband, Lloyd; her sister and brother-in-law, Marion and Gordon Gilman; her brother-in-law, Verne Duncalfe; and her dear friend, Fred Nowitski.

She will be lovingly remembered by her four children, Brenda (Ralph) Berg; Murray (Susan) Duncalfe; Leanne (Les) Brackenreed and Norma (Bob) Donogh; her nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; and her nieces and nephews.

Time will not dim the face I love,
the voice I heard each day.
The many things you did for me,
In your own special way.
All my life I'll miss you,
As the years come and go,
But in my heart I'll keep you
Because I love you so.

The memorial to celebrate Sheena's life will be held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 361 Russell Street, on Monday November 6, 2023 at 11:00 am. Rev. Ball will officiate. A family interment will follow at the Madford Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Anyone wishing to donate in her memory may send donations to the Alzheimer Society Manitoba at www.alzheimers@mb.ca or send a cheque to 10-120 Donald St Winnipeg, R3C 4G2.