Thursday May 14, 2020 ~ SOOKE
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
Today the District of Sooke issued a release to advise the local community about the passing of one of their well-known Sooke residents and former municipal Councillor, Sheila Beech.
Beech was first elected as a municipal Councillor in 2005 and served for two consecutive terms, until 2011.
Beech died in Nanaimo on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2020. She was 75 years old. Bborn on December 29, 1945 just after World War II, in a time of hope, it is poignant that she passed during a time when the world again battles an enemy, the COVID-19 coronavirus in an infectious pandemic.
“Councillor Beech made many contributions to the community during her six years of service,” it was stated in the release. “A talented and celebrated artist herself, Sheila was a passionate advocate for arts and cultural organizations and events. She believed the arts were important drivers of tourism and economic diversification and recognized their benefit for community and individual health and vitality.”
“Sheila was actively engaged in many local organizations, including the Sooke Literacy Committee, the Sooke Region Tourism Association, and the Sooke Rotary Club, where she was a long-standing member. A frequent contributor to the Sooke Fine Arts Show, she could often be found demonstrating her felt-making skills as an artist in residence during the event, quick with a smile and an in-depth explanation of the finer points of her craft.”
Sheila Beech was a devoted mother and grandmother. During her time as a municipal councillor Sheila would often be at Sooke community events along with her granddaughter Lily who was young at the time.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait says about Sheila Beech: “Her warmth, generosity, and passion for our community will always be remembered by Council colleagues, municipal staff, and the many Sooke residents whose lives she touched.”
Beech was featured years ago in MapleLine Magazine (the precursor to West Shore Voice News) for her arts advocacy at the municipal and community level.
===== Official Obituary:
December 29, 1945 – May 10, 2020
Born in St. Thomas, Ontario December 29, 1945, Sheila passed away peacefully at the age of 75 on Mother’s Day, May 10th, 2020 in Nanaimo B.C. Sheila was pre-deceased by her daughter, Andrea Graham, Sheila is survived by her son Evan Hogarth, her two sisters Aline Banno (Ian) and Christine Jensen (Peter), her granddaughter Lily, grandson Jack and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Sheila will be fondly remembered as an amazing and selfless grandmother and she cherished her time with all the children.
Sheila was talented, hardworking and creative. She was an internationally known fiber artist with her works displayed and worn across North America. One of Sheila’s proudest moments was when her colorful felted wool made it as far as the Metropolitan Opera in New York City courtesy of designer Donna Karan.
She was a true entrepreneur and expressed this first with a very successful craft store in Rossland, B.C. Sheila was well known in the community of Sooke. She was the proprietor of Constable Matheson’s Bed and Breakfast. This establishment was housed in her home, the original RCMP station in Sooke. It was brilliantly conceived with lots of character and bright, original artwork. It attracted visitors from many different places which Sheila treated like long lost friends.
Sheila has always been passionate about community involvement. She was a well-spoken Sooke Municipal Councillor, serving for two consecutive terms. She was the President of the local Rotary Club, volunteered at the Sooke Fine Arts show and rang the bell every year for the Salvation Army. Sheila was a member of the Anglican Church Choir in Sooke and was a beautiful singer. She toured Europe with the Elgar Choir as a teen. She was a member of many church choirs over the years and a very enthusiastic member of the Sooke Community Choir.
The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Sheila’s long-time friend Linda MacMillan and many other close friends for their continuing love and support of Sheila during these last few years.
A memorial for Sheila will be announced sometime in the future.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sooke Rotary Club.