Sheila's Story

Sheila was raised in Toronto by a loving, courageous single mother who taught Sheila that she didn't have to be confined by her circumstances. She encouraged her to find her gifts and use them well, and to always try her best.

From her earliest years, Sheila remembers knowing that God loved her and wanting to share this with others. She participated in many summer missions programs, including traveling to the Philippines, China, Tunisia, and working among immigrants in France and Germany.

She moved to Kingston for university, attending Queen's for 7 years while obtaining her BAH in Sociology, her MA in Sociology, and her MPA (Masters in Public Administration). It was during her studies that she met and married her husband Keith, a pediatrician.

In 1994 they moved to downtown Toronto so Keith could do his residency. The next few years were a blur—Keith was working long hours, their baby Rebecca was born, and then Christopher came along, with Down Syndrome and a severe heart defect. He lived for only 29 days. During that time, Sheila found that God’s peace can’t be explained, but when you need it, it will be there. A year later they welcomed little Katie, and the family moved to Belleville, Ontario, where Keith set up his pediatric practice.

Today, they are both busy working half-time and taking turns homeschooling their two girls, now 7 and 5. Sheila writes two days a week, working on her column for the Belleville Intelligencer, her book To Love, Honor and Vacuum, and her articles. She hopes in her writing to encourage women who feel overworked and harried to find peace and renewal. 

Sheila and Keith are active in Parkdale Baptist Church, with Keith on the deacon's board and Sheila leading a praise team and serving on the women's committee. Together, they host a small group in their house.

To see Sheila's articles, click here.

To learn about having Sheila as a speaker, click here.