Sheila Elese (Wilson) Cotton

Sheila Elese Cotton  1918 - 2018

Peacefully on November 25, 2017, at the age of 99 years, Sheila Elese Cotton passed away at the Benito Health Centre surrounded by love.

Sheila is survived by children; Marilyn (Ron) Sigurdson of Winnipeg, Gloria (Al Barrett) of Winnipeg, Linda (Leonard) Kowalevsky of Swan River, and Neal (Linda) Cotton, of Kenville; eight grandchildren, Janine (Jim) Turnbull, Teryl (Bryan) Parker, Scott (Marni) Sigurdson, Justin (Sarah) Kowalevsky, Derek (Lindsay) Kowalevsky, Michelle Cotton (Travis Neely), Karen (Josh) Podolski, and Joanne Cotton (Mike Martin); thirteen great grandchildren, Tanner and Tyla Turnbull, Brooke and Carter Sigurdson, Chandler Cotton and Kyle Neely, Benson  and Halle Kowalevsky, Mason, Ryleigh and Ryker Kowalevsky, Ella and Rachel Podolski; special niece Arlene (Rae) Nelson; close friend Lori Root; sisters Vera Parker and Iris Stinson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sheila was predeceased in 2009 by Wilford, her loving husband of sixty-eight years; her parents James and Sarah Wilson; brother Ronald Wilson; sister Cicely Sadler and brother in law Lyman Sadler; brother in law Clarence Cotton and sister in law Violet Cotton; daughter in law Lori Cotton and infant granddaughter; and brother in laws Percy Parker and Jack Stinson.

Mom was born in Swan River, Manitoba on July 24, 1918. At age six she moved with her family from Minitonas to Kenville where she attended school. At age eighteen she took a hair dressing course in Winnipeg following which she set up shop in her parents’ home in Kenville. She married Wilford Cotton of Kenville in 1940. They worked together on the farm for nearly fifty years. They had four children, Marilyn, Gloria, Linda and Neal.

Mom loved playing various sports including baseball, curling and golf. She enjoyed helping in the Kenville community by working at the church, hall and rink.  Gardening was one of Mom's passions. She was a life member of the Swan Valley Agricultural Society.

The Order of Eastern Star was an important part of Mom's life and together with Dad they had many special friends.

Mom and Dad enjoyed travelling and purchased a mobile home in Pine to Palm Resort Park in Weslaco, Texas. They made it their winter home for twenty-five years. During the winter months shuffleboard became a favourite sport for them as did playing bridge with friends.

Mom and Dad built a home and moved off the farm into Swan River in 1987. They enjoyed over twenty years together in their home.  In January 2006, they enjoyed a family Caribbean cruise to celebrate their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary.

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