We are devastated to announce the sudden passing of Sheila Macdonald (née Masterman) at the age of 62, on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at her home aboard the North Star of Herschel Island in Vancouver. Sheila was born and raised in Waterloo. She is survived by Bruce, her husband and partner of 38 years and by her daughters Maida and Isabel (Alex). She is also survived by her father Jack Masterman (Theresa), sister Chris Murray (Brian), brothers Lawrie (Susan), Keith (Chris), Derek (Robin), and many nieces and nephews. Sheila was predeceased by her mother Isabel in 1990.
Sheila is gone far too early but leaves us with the remembrance of a life well and adventurously lived. In 1988, she and Bruce drove west to British Columbia from Ontario to live on the ocean. They settled first in a home in Victoria where they ran a nautical book store before buying the North Star, the last Canadian Arctic fur trading ship. Sheila and Bruce raised their family aboard, first in Victoria and then in Vancouver. She was creative, compassionate and devoted to helping others, working at such places as the CNIB, March of Dimes and group homes for people with severe mental and physical disabilities. She was also a caring and loving mother to two foster children. She had a dry wit and a broad set of interests and creative talents such as wood-working, cooking and baking, ship maintenance, crossword puzzles, and more. Sheila, most of all, loved her family and living with them on the water. They sailed thousands of miles together using the sails that she sewed and sharing the hard work needed to keep the North Star of Herschel Island in top shape. She was a brave voyager and leaves us better for being with her. She will be sorely missed. As per her request, there will be no service. If desired, in lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to No Borders Animal Rescue Society or Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
.