Obituary of Sheilah Allard

Sheilah Lily(O’Neil) Allard, age 93 of Ponds, Pictou County passed away peacefully in the presence of family on July 5th at Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home in Halifax. As per mum’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held by the family at a future date. Sheilah was born in Lancashire, England to Henry Harry O’Neil and Mary Ellen (Jones) O’Neil on February 27th, 1927. Mum had many fond memories of growing up in England including spending time with her Auntie Annie whom she often visited and stayed with. At the age of 14 she left school for a time to look after her younger brothers and sisters as both of her parents were involved in the war effort. After finishing her schooling and before meeting and marrying our dad Oakley, mum worked at various jobs including a shop clerk at Blackshaws, as an ammunitions inspector during the war, and finally in the Women’s Land Army where she met and married Pte. Oakley Herbert Allard of Stellarton, emigrating to Pictou County, Nova Scotia in 1946.The family lived in Stellarton during the early years, later moving to Bridgeville and then finally to Ponds. Mum not only knew all of her extended family relations from abroad, but also all of the family on this side as well. If anyone wanted to know anything about the family trees – she was the go to. She loved spending time with children - whether hers or her childrens friends, nieces/nephews, or neighbors’. She enjoyed spending time in her flower gardens and loved animals of all kinds. Mum was rarely without a dog or cat of her own and indeed sometimes multiple ones as she often would have in her care her family’s pets. She was an avid walker all of her life up into her later years and in all weather and seasons, would regularly take long strolls to her absolute favorite place – the beach. She lived for the warmer weather when she could get down to the shore for a swim. Many of us (children, grandchildren and great grand children) have lots of fond memories of spending time at the beach with mum and nanny who taught many of us to swim. She loved the salt water, was often in swimming as early as May and June and well into the fall, and could often be heard saying “… the salt water will help that…” If you dropped in for a visit and she wasn’t home, chances are you would find her at the beach. At the age of 90, mum was still swimming strong. Mum touched many lives during her 93 years. We will all miss her greatly. Our lives have all been made the better by her presence, and so very saddened by her going. Mum is survived by her daughter Letitia (Frank) Allard of England, son Neil (Gail) of Halifax, daughter Roselyn (Lloyd) of Alberta, daughter Tracey Wilmot of Ponds. Grandchildren: Donna, Melinda and Roddy, Lynn, Nathan and Browren, Trevor, Randy and Melissa. Great grandchildren: Michelle and Michael, Calen and Ben, Cyra-Jean, Matthew, Alexis, Mitchell, and Madison, Ruby and Zoe, Joey and Kalen, Gabrielle, Mayleigh and Jase. Great great grandchildren: Cole, Megan and Brice, Destiny and Rainah, Michael and Kandon. She is preceded in death by her former husband Oakley, daughter Paulette (MacLeod), son-in-law Allister MacLeod and infant grandson Allister Benjamin MacLeod, by her siblings Connie, Olive, Ivy, Pat, Desmond and Brian, and by many in-laws. Memorial donations may be made to any branch of the SPCA or charity of your choice. We wish to extend our gratitude to all of the staff at Saint Vincent’s for welcoming mum to their family on third floor and for their excellent care and compassion. She couldn’t have been in a better place.