Obituary for Sheena Smith
Sheena Smith 1937-2020
Sheena moved to Bowen in 2016 - having just lost her husband of 54 years - to be close to her daughter (Tania), son-in-law (James) and grandson (Robbie). After a chance encounter during which she made a connection with Maryann Smith, Sheena was quickly embraced by our community and found a group of loving, supportive friends. Before COVID struck, she served on the board of SKY, attended seniors’ Pilates, joined a bible study group and was a member of Cates Hill Chapel.
As a child, Sheena would walk four miles to and from school each day, and this love of walking remained with her. Sheena was often to be seen on her daily walks around Whitesails and Tunstall, and even further afield with the help of the wonderful Bowen bus drivers. After her usual trip to the General Store and the Ruddy on Friday, Sheena passed away peacefully in her sleep on 22nd November, aged 83.
Sheena met her husband Tom towards the end of her nurse’s training. They were married in 1962, beginning a story of true love, respect and devotion that lasted over five decades. Sheena was a born healer and worked first as an Emergency Room nurse, then a clinical teacher, finally specializing in geriatric and end-of-life care. As a nurse, Sheena combined expertise with a practical and compassionate approach to her patients. She understood and wondered at the life in all things and was deeply grateful for her experience. In life Sheena glided forward with trust, not knowing the destination, firmly believing she was being guided by a benign hand.
From all of Sheena’s family, we would like to offer our deep gratitude to her friends, our neighbours and to this community for their loving support. A celebration of life will be held in December via Zoom.
Sheena moved to Bowen in 2016 - having just lost her husband of 54 years - to be close to her daughter (Tania), son-in-law (James) and grandson (Robbie). After a chance encounter during which she made a connection with Maryann Smith, Sheena was quickly embraced by our community and found a group of loving, supportive friends. Before COVID struck, she served on the board of SKY, attended seniors’ Pilates, joined a bible study group and was a member of Cates Hill Chapel.
As a child, Sheena would walk four miles to and from school each day, and this love of walking remained with her. Sheena was often to be seen on her daily walks around Whitesails and Tunstall, and even further afield with the help of the wonderful Bowen bus drivers. After her usual trip to the General Store and the Ruddy on Friday, Sheena passed away peacefully in her sleep on 22nd November, aged 83.
Sheena met her husband Tom towards the end of her nurse’s training. They were married in 1962, beginning a story of true love, respect and devotion that lasted over five decades. Sheena was a born healer and worked first as an Emergency Room nurse, then a clinical teacher, finally specializing in geriatric and end-of-life care. As a nurse, Sheena combined expertise with a practical and compassionate approach to her patients. She understood and wondered at the life in all things and was deeply grateful for her experience. In life Sheena glided forward with trust, not knowing the destination, firmly believing she was being guided by a benign hand.
From all of Sheena’s family, we would like to offer our deep gratitude to her friends, our neighbours and to this community for their loving support. A celebration of life will be held in December via Zoom.