Sheila Comeau (Molloy)

COMEAU (Doyle) nee Molloy, Sheila

It is with profound sadness that Sheila’s girls, Jennifer and Bernadette, share that their beloved and beautiful mother passed at the age of 84 years. Mom died peacefully at home with both her daughters at her side, soft music in the background and Marco, the ever-loyal Labradoodle, snuggled at her feet.

Born to Fred and Bernadette Molloy in St. John’s, NL, January 30, 1941, Mom was the baby of the family and as Nanny explained to Poppy one day, “Sheila is the start of a new generation, Fred”.

Mom was a true teen of the 50s, who loved music, dancing, cheeseburgers and those small glass bottles of Coca-Cola. When she wasn’t dancing, she was ice skating or walking absolutely everywhere, as was the way of life then. When her sister Allie, a nurse, was on shift and not using her beautiful new pink Nash Metropolitan, Mom was thrilled to drive it back and forth to Holy Heart of Mary High School and out for burgers or fries. She was hard to miss behind the wheel, this beautiful, petite young lady with platinum blonde hair, and the most striking blue eyes that sparkled throughout her entire life.

Mom was an excellent driver and her love for it went past the day she hung up her car keys at age 80. She missed driving terribly and longed for those days of cruising down the scenic route of Nova Scotia’s South Shore on a beautiful clear day, singing along to the oldies on Seaside FM.

Mom had a zest for life, a “can-do” attitude and an inner strength and fortitude that empowered her through every aspect of her life. Again, Nanny had told Mom she had a determination unlike anything she had seen and told her daughter “it will either make you or break you, my love.” You were right, Nanny. Mom’s determination made her and allowed our little family of three to not only survive, but to thrive. Nanny and Mom were the start of a long line of strong, determined, fearless women and we are forever proud and grateful to be part of that lineage.

While Mom’s first marriage was a painful and emotional time in her young life, she was determined to be a good and loving single mom. Armed with that resolve, she devoted herself to raising us girls. She gave us a beautiful childhood, filled with memories of multiplication tables and spelling practices, simple summer vacations, and warm, loving Christmases. Once the intense parenting years were over, she retired to Bedford, NS. Eventually, she was introduced to Bill Comeau, a wonderful man who quickly became the love of her life.  Mom and Bill had ten glorious years together, truly enjoying the simple day to day of being husband and wife. They also spent much of their time travelling, having fun and enjoying being fussed over. Bill made it very clear to Mom that she deserved all his love and that he was determined to make up for those years she had been alone. It was beautiful for us to see Mom as a loving and devoted wife and to be loved so deeply by Bill.

Anyone who knew Mom — as a sister, a friend, a work colleague, a neighbour, or one of our home room teachers — knew instantly how much she LOVED being a mom. She took such pride in raising us on her own, instilling her values, work ethic, kindness and manners into both of us. She would literally jump for joy when she learned of our accomplishments and successes — from a good report card to being accepted into our university program of choice or landing our dream job. She would always say as long as you tried your hardest and gave it your best shot, that’s all I can ask. She also would say, come to me with anything, we will talk it through, but you must be truthful and honest.

And such was the basis for the warmest of homes, the most welcoming of safe harbours. Not just for us but for our friends who adored her, who sought advice from her, who just loved chatting about life with her. She was open, kind and loving and our friends flocked to that…our beautiful apartment was a fun place but a place to have real chats about life and loss and future. It was as if our friends instantly knew that Mom was wise beyond her years. That life had taught her a great deal, and often over the rockiest of roads, not the easy route. They knew they could laugh or cry in front of her. They knew her advice would be heartfelt and sage. They would tell us how lucky we were to have her for our Mom. We would glow with pride and smile back oh, we know! We would carry that pride with us right up to this moment and we will carry it with us for the rest of our days. We were blessed to have Mom for our only parent.

She was indeed wise beyond her years. She was also fun, fair, caring, and oh so loving. She taught us everything from values to the importance of common sense. She would often say, ‘common sense is not so common.’ She taught us how to be mothers, a role each of us cherishes, as she had.

One of the most special relationships to witness was mom as a nanny. She was blessed with four grandchildren and had a unique and loving relationship with each: Shaun, Jessica, Erin and Eric. Nanny was able to be a part of Eric’s life from the beginning and never missed a special event from preschool graduation, school concerts, high school graduation, to this month being proud to hear of his X ring from St Francis Xavier University. She was his biggest cheer leader, and they adored each other. Eric admired Mom’s strength and determination and would often sit on the side of her bed when he got home at night to excitedly share his news and get a ‘tell me more’ from Nanny, no matter what the hour.

Blessed to have lived 30 days shy of 85 years, Mom was predeceased by so many family members and friends, including her parents; her loving husband William (Bill) Comeau; sisters Mary Daley; Margaret Morrissey; Alice ‘Allie’ Taylor; Carmel Anderson; her brother John Molloy; and by her four brothers in law Albert Daley; Bill Morrissey; Bill Taylor; and Ron Anderson.

In 2024, our family endured a most heart-breaking loss, with the passing of Bruce Burrell, who Mom thought of as a son from the beginning but especially throughout the ten years she lived with Jen and Bruce. We are sure Mom, Bill and Bruce have already shared a wee dram of single malt.

Left to mourn her passing are her sister Maureen Treslan and brother-in-law Dennis, and her brother Adrian Molloy and sister in law, Bertha, (Crowsnest Pass, AB); and numerous nieces and nephews; four very special grandchildren; Shaun Burrell, Jessica Burrell, Erin Follett and Eric Duffett; and three great granddaughters, Addison and Charlotte Price, who loved DeeDee and really missed visiting her this past year; and our newest addition, little Emilia Burrell, born this year who Mom fell madly in love with through photos.

Forever missed by but left with a lifetime of beautiful memories are her daughters Jennifer Burrell (Bedford, NS) and Bernadette Doyle Follett, and son-in-law Wayne Follett, who showered her with love and respect while enjoying a good competitive game of scrabble!

The family would like to send their sincere gratitude to Mary Beresford, NP for the kindness and compassion shown to us over the last few months; and much love and all our thanks to Mom’s two care providers – Courtney Dares (Bedford/Halifax); and Jaai Kunchur (St. John’s); and, Amanda, Julia and Karla, the Community Health Nurses who so kindly and gently helped us navigate Mom’s final days.

Under the care of Carnell’s Funeral Home, cremation has already taken place. As per Mom’s wishes, there will be no Visitation or formal Funeral Service. There will be a private family internment at the Holy Sepulchre Columbarium at a later date.

We look forward to sharing your memories and ours at a Celebration of Life for Mom, to take place in the coming weeks. Details to follow.

If you would like to make a donation in Mom’s memory, please support

Kids Help Phone Canada — kidshelpphone.ca; or your local SPCA;

or any other charity of your choosing.

“When we lose someone we love, we must learn not to live without them but to live with the love they left behind.” – Anonymous