Sheila Edsforth

Sheila Southern Edsforth passed away peacefully at home on October 29, 2021, after a long, good life and a courageous journey with cancer, and 14 months after the death of her husband of 62 years.

Sheila is preceded in death by her parents Viola Borlace Southern and John Southern, her brother Robert Southern, and her husband John Edsforth. She is survived by her beloved children – son Robert Edsforth and daughter Julie Edsforth – son-in-law Jabe Blumenthal, grandchildren Brandon, Pascal, and Sabine, and cousin Anne de Martin. In addition, she leaves behind many friends and neighbors from a full and rich life.

Born in Bishop Auckland in northeast England on July 28, 1931, Sheila pursued nursing after finishing high school. She was a district nurse for several years, including a rotation as a home midwife, before making the bold decision, in her early twenties, to leave her home country behind and immigrate to Canada. After making the journey across the Atlantic as a solo traveler, she nursed her way east to west, meeting John, the love of her life, while working on Vancouver Island.  They fell in love over tennis, cocktail parties, and the grand beauty of British Columbia. They married in Montreal, Canada and enjoyed several fun years living there – walking distance from theater, restaurants, and music performances. They moved to the Seattle area in the late 1960’s with their two young children and lived their remaining years there, punctuated by many winter trips to California and Florida. 

Sheila was known for her quick wit, infectious laugh, and skills at the bridge table. She both spoke her mind and poked fun at herself. But her most defining feature was her unquestioned love for and loyalty to her family. While grieving the loss of her husband and facing the challenges of cancer, she lived her final year of life with strength, grace, and acceptance.   

We invite friends and family members to share their thoughts, memories, and condolences