Sheila Joan (Clothier) Szabototh

Peacefully, at home in Port Elgin in the loving company of her family on Friday, December 18, 2020 in her 61st year. Sheila, beloved wife of Charlie for more than 38 years. It is hard to imagine Charlie without Sheila by his side. Proud and fiercely loving mom of Melynda and her husband Ricky St-Pierre, and Sarah Anne and her husband Corey Cougle. Her biggest regret was that she would never meet her grandson, Edgar St-Pierre, born shortly after her passing. Beloved daughter of Sybil Clothier and the late William “Bill” Clothier. She was the vivacious big sister to Elizabeth and her husband Rick Schwarzl. Loving aunt of Zac Bryan. They miss her terribly. Dear daughter-in-law of Helen and the late Charlie Szabo.

Sheila grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, attending The Woodlands School and Sheridan College in Oakville. Sheila was an artist, and member of Shoreline Artists, with a true love for oil painting, bringing to life nature vistas and abstract astronomical views. Art was in her every heartbeat and permeated her soul. Sheila and Charlie travelled extensively - 23 countries, 9 Provinces & 2 territories, 49 US states. Family trips to Australia, Scotland, and Italy were filled with silly selfies. Their travel trailer, Swagger, proclaimed “we don’t know where we’re going” but we’re going anyway. Sheila saw five total solar eclipses and was moved to tears by each one; she spent nearly 15 minutes standing in the shadow of the Moon. She loved the “diamond rings” and the ethereal corona that was only visible during totality. To her, they exemplified the beauty in nature and she felt awed and privileged to be able to witness the spectacle. Sheila loved the outdoors, enjoying hiking and exploring, and was an avid geocacher, particularly loving Earthcaches where the objective was to learn something about geology or the workings of nature. She also enjoyed creating geocache puzzles and stories for others to find. The webmaster for the Richmond Hill Live Steamers, she was also an accomplished miniature steam locomotive engineer. A proud member of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band for many years, she delighted especially in travelling to Scotland to experience the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Drumming for Drinks and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She adored animals, having many beloved pets over her lifetime, and she left Charlie in the company of their young chocolate lab Lachlainn.

Her illness was unexpected and she never lost confidence in her ability to fight it head on and overcome it. Memorial donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada or the Grand River Hospital Foundation Kitchener would be appreciated by the family.

All are invited to join the family for a Celebration of Life April 30, 2022 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakeshore Recreation 1177 Goderich Street, Port Elgin. 

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