In loving memory of Sheilah Lawrence Yorke (née McPhail), who passed away peacefully on November 8th, 2022 in Victoria, BC. Sheilah was born in Nelson, BC on February 24th, 1939. She was predeceased by her husband Peter, her parents and her sister-in-law Ann. She will be greatly missed by daughters Melinda and Jenny, brother-in-law Bill, nephews Matthew and Michael, great niece and nephew Mia and Matthew, and her many neighbours and friends.
Sheilah grew up in Nelson BC, where she filled her days with school, piano, figure skating practice, and walking up and down the town’s hundreds of stairs daily. After finishing high school, she moved to Vancouver where she taught piano and attended UBC. After marrying Peter Yorke, the couple moved to Victoria where her two daughters, Melinda and Jenny, were born. Always a devoted mom, she was very involved in their lives. Her love of music led Sheilah to continue to teach piano in Victoria for many years. She was also involved with the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. Sheilah was on the initial board of the Oak Bay Figure Skating Club, and volunteered as a figure skating judge for many years. She was a member of Christ Church Cathedral. In her later years, Sheilah enjoyed time with friends and family, going for walks, listening to music, watching the sunset, and having a mug of hot chocolate and bowl of vanilla ice cream every evening.
Thank you to the staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Dr Spink, Dr MacPherson, Dr Stansfield, and Dr Velev for the wonderful kindness and caring support they gave Sheilah.
A Funeral Service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, Quadra at Rockland, on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at 2:00 pm.
Donations in Sheilah’s memory can be sent to the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com.
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Carolyn Graham
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Wendy Maggiora Condolences to the family of Sheila Yorke from the Victoria Branch of the BCRMTA. Sheila was a member for 10 years and served on the executive. She also was a long time member of the Victoria Branch of the Toronto Conservatory of Music supporting the events to raise scholarship funds for deserving students. Her story and musical contributions will be entered into the Vic. Br. Of the BCRMTA Memoriam Collection.
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Judy Macquarrie John and I want to express our sympathy to Melinda and Jenny at this trying time.
I still have the jade plant that Sheilah gave me when she and Peter moved from Hewlett
Place. And I will keep that in her memory.
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Sherry Baker (Sidenius) I wish I could join you to offer my condolences and memories of Sheilah. Sheilah’s mother’s family (the Leitch’s) and my mother’s family (the Home’s )were friends in the early days of BC’s history in the Kootenays. In fact Jessie Leitch signed my grandparents Edgar and Mary Home’s marriage certificate when they married in Cranbrook in 1903. Sheilah and I were friends when we lived in Nelson during the war. We always saw each other whenever she came to Vancouver – or when we went to Nelson on our way to summer holidays on Kootenay Lake. There was always lots of catching up to do whenever we met in subsequent years. I join her family in feeling the loss of Sheilah and an important link to my family’s history. May she rest in peace.
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Arcelia Cortes My condolences to the Yorke family, may God give them comfort in these difficult times. I had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Yorke a few days before her passing and it was a pleasure. I felt like I knew her because of the great conversations I would have with her daughter Melinda. Melinda would talk about the great times she would spend with her home back in Canada.
Keep strongh, may she rest in peace.
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Claudia Diaz With my upmost and sincere condolences to Melinda and her family I say the following, even though I was privileged to meet Sheilah briefly, in her eyes I saw all the years of love she gave her family and everyone who was near and dear to her. Her slight smile was a reminder of all the joy she gave others that I’m sure still carry on in their hearts. May our loving God hold her tight in His arms and let her know how greatly she will be missed by all and the legacy she leaves behind. I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to meet this wonderful lady before our Lord called her home.
Sending our condolences to Melinda and Jenny on the loss of your dear mom. We have many memories of time spent together on Hewlett and enjoyed keeping connected when she moved to Rockland Ave. Your mom always had a sparkle in her eye and was so thoughtful and kind. I remember the classic black VW Bug, her impeccable gift wrapping and folding of laundry and beautiful handwriting. She had a great sense of humour, loved to visit and was a very caring person. Sending love and cherished memories to you both. Carolyn Graham