It is with heavy hearts that Sheila's family announces her passing on Saturday January 21, 2023 at Edgewater Garden Long Term Care Home in her 76th year. Loving wife of David Hutchinson. Beloved mother to Sarah Hutchinson of Surrey B.C., Erin Marie Hutchinson of New Westminster B.C. and Christopher Hutchinson of Borden Ontario. Daughter of the late Felix DeFrancis and Marguerite Atchison. Sister of Lynn Rooney (Mack), Carol DeFrancis (Tony Ianniciello), David DeFrancis, and Derrick DeFrancis. Sheila dedicated her life to service of others; first as an RN and palliative care nurse; then as a counselor and psychotherapist (especially for the women of the Six Nations Reserve); and as founder and manager of the charity “Building Bridges for Youth”. Energized by the love of her Lord Jesus, she was Music Leader at the Bread of Life prayer group, and for the Association of Christian Therapists. She loved music and animals and painted pictures. She wrote a book about her shared experiences with First Nations women, “Rainbow Weavers”. A light has gone out of our lives; we miss her very much.
A special thank you to the staff at Edgewater Gardens and the Haldimand War Memorial Hospital for their care and compassion during Sheila's stay there. Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 2 at Saint Stephen's Catholic Church, 21 Ottawa St S, Cayuga. If so desired, donations to Campaign Life Coalition would be appreciated by the family. Friends are invited to send condolences and sign the Book of Memories at www.ballardminorfh.ca.