Obituary of Sheila Ruth Martin

Sheila was born July 20, 1955 to George and Ruth Hanson in Consort Alberta. Sheila was the oldest of five daughters, two of which passed away, one as a toddler and one as an infant. This left Sheila as the oldest daughter to her two sisters Lillian and Barbra growing up on the farm. There were many expectations of Sheila as the oldest. One day she and her sister Lil were to gather bales with the tractor and wagon. As the oldest Sheila was driving the tractor and Lil was picking up the square bales and tossing them onto the wagon. While on a bit of a hill Sheila tried to put the tractor into gear, only to start rolling backwards. The wagon ended up knocking Lil down, and as Sheila panicked to get the tractor to stop she finally did so only to turn around and see her sister laying on the ground with the tractor hitch just above her face. The family had moved and bought a farm near Lacombe, then later ending up in Stettler. Sheila dedicated so much time to health care and seniors, and this started from an early age. As a teen Sheila worked at the Stettler Hospital as a volunteer, then becoming employed there as a young adult. Sheila and her first husband welcomed their son Wesley Glen Bachmier on October 3, 1977 and later daughter Wanda Lynn on March 3, 1981 both in Stettler. These children were Sheila's heart and soul. Sheila was a fierce protector and loved them dearly. When Wanda was about 6 months old the family packed up and moved from Erskine to Joffre. At this time Sheila resigned from work at the Stettler Hospital and began work as a nursing attendant at the Lacombe Hospital. Sheila enjoyed her work and loved taking care of patients and residents. Another thing Sheila enjoyed to do with her kids was putting them on her dirt bike and taking them for rides on the trails. She would also take them to Millers Campground near the river and introduced them to bum skiing down the river. This was a place where many memories were created between the three of them. These camping trips were always made in her brown station wagon with the glove box covered in stickers and singing along to 50’s and 60’s music on cassette tapes. In 1992 Sheila remarried. This was to Wayne Martin who became the love of her life. After marrying, Sheila and her children moved to Edmonton where Wayne was from. In Edmonton is where Sheila began working at The Shepherd’s Care Foundation as a recreational attendant. This career brought Sheila great joy. Working with all the seniors was Sheila’s true calling. She made sure that every resident felt that they were important to her. She was like a daughter to many of them as she connected on such a deep and personal level. Sheila was officially diagnosed 25 years ago with scleroderma. In 1999 Sheila was blessed to become a Grandmother. After her first grandson Devin, she then became blessed 6 more times, welcoming Paige, Cameron, Shelby, Jenner, Gracelynn and Benjamin. Grandchildren were definitely meant to be in Sheilas life. She loved spending time taking them camping, to the beach, having sleepovers, making crafts, knitting and so much more. Sheila loved to see her granddaughters Paige and Gracelynn dance. Grandson Jenner and his sisters Paige and Gracelynn curl, and the kids doing their various activities. The most memorable though would be playing Monopoly. Sheila had no mercy. When it came down to it she had no problems making her grandchildren go bankrupt. She won every time except once when Paige would finally defeat Grandma. Victory was finally hers! Fifteen years ago the scleroderma had caused Sheila to develop liver disease, so instead of going out without a fight, mother and daughter went into surgery on January 31, 2006 where Wanda had 2/3 of her liver removed and given to Sheila. Surgery was a success! This bought Sheila many more years to spend loving her grandchildren, children, husband and her career. This disease still left Sheila with a constant battle, but she took every battle and kept moving forward. She seldom complained as she didn’t want others to worry. She kept up working even when it was difficult. She always put other's needs ahead of her own. Sheila earned herself a plaque for 25 years of service at Shepherd’s Care a year before having to resign. Her body could no longer keep up with the demands of the job. Sheila deserved some time to take things slower and enjoy her friends, family and crafts. Just because she wasn’t at work didn’t mean Sheila was just going to do nothing. She was obsessed with floral arrangements, jewelry making, painting, knitting and everything in between. She loved going to craft sales and putting her work on display. She made dear friends through this passion. In the fall of 2019 it was decided that Sheila and Wayne would move from the big city and come back to Stettler, where the country roots run deep in her. She was going to be able to be close to her children and grandchildren, and enjoy the farm fresh air. The couple finalized their move in early February 2020, and putting their home in Edmonton up for sale. Sheila was able to get to see Jenner, Paige and Gracelynn curl before landing herself back in the hospital. Sheila rebounded hoping to get to see her girls dance again only to have covid put us all in lockdown. Shortly after lockdown, Sheila ended up back in the Stettler Hospital fighting for her life. After being in for three weeks Sheila was released for one day only to end up being admitted back in. Sheila fought a very hard, difficult battle, one that many would not have been able to endure. Sadly this horrible disease took the beautiful life of Sheila on May 28, 2020. She wasn’t alone. She was surrounded in love with her husband, son Wes and common law wife Diane, daughter Wanda and husband Darren at her side as she took her last breath. Sheila leaves behind broken hearts and many tears, but she is finally in peace and resting in Heaven with our Lord.

Sheila will be sadly missed and leaves to mourn her passing: husband Wayne Martin of Stettler; son Wes Bachmier (Diane Doyle) of Stettler; daughter Wanda (Darren) Niehaus of Stettler; grandchildren: Cameron, Shelby, Devin, Paige, Jenner, Gracelynn and Benjamin; sisters Lil (Bill) Wingrove of Spruce Grove and Barb (Richard) Creighton of Salmon Arm; all of Wayne’s family; nieces, nephews; numerous other family members and many dear friends.

Sheila was predeceased by her parents Ruth and George Hanson of Erskine.

Donations in memory of Sheila are gratefully accepted to a charity of your own choice.

As per the request of Sheila, she will be cremated and there will only be a small family gathering.