Kathleen Sheldon

It is with heavy hearts we announce that Kathleen Sheldon passed away peacefully on July 29th, 2025, at Lanes Retirement Living in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

She was predeceased by her mother, Alice Roane Tyler, her father, John Henry Tyler, son Harold Sheldon, brother-in-law William Peyton and sweet dog Bella.

Kathleen will be profoundly missed by her husband of 60 years, John; their children Brian (Rhonda), and Anne; her grandchildren Dylan (Cecily), Kurtis (Kaitlyn), Michaela (Matt), and Griffin (Leah); her sister Joan; and cousins, nieces, nephews, and a wide group of cherished friends.

Kathleen Alice Tyler-Sheldon, 87, was born 1938 in Kinston, North Carolina. She was raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then Thomasville, Georgia. When she was a child, her father bought a farm where she enjoyed most of her time with her sister Joan in Thomasville, Georgia – she was happiest in a smaller community with her family and friends. Even though she was only there for two years, she called Thomasville her home.

Kathy went on to pursue a bachelor's in English and Drama from Sweet Briar College in Virginia. There, she would find an affinity for the theatre and the arts, so much so that during her first year, Kathy spent the summer working for a theatre company.

In her third year of university, 1958, she decided to go to London as a Winant Volunteer, where young Americans travel to London to work in social service organizations for the summer – to help communities after the damage caused by World War 2. She worked in settlement houses for seniors and young people and was posted in Bermondsey.

In 1959, after her four-year degree, she decided to take part in an apprenticeship program in the episcopal church – since at the time, women could not be ordained, she ventured to Newport, Rhode Island, and did a summer program to become more involved in religious studies, then worked as a parish worker at a church in Millbrook, New York. She then pursued a master's in Religious Education from Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 1962.

After graduation from her Master's, Kathy then went on for work placement at St. Marks in the Bowery to then become hired as the Director of Christian Education in Manhattan.

Kathy visited England again during Christmas, and married her soulmate John.

In 1964, the married couple embarked on a journey to Newfoundland and Labrador, to seek out rural life for a short while. They decided to make the stay in New World Island. John’s promise was “two years at the most.” Little did they know, Kathy and John would find themselves falling in love with the small town and would eventually root in Virgin Arm completely for 58 years of their lives. With no paved roads or steady electricity, limited telephone access – a lifestyle that was very new from her life in America. While John’s medical practice bloomed with activity from the community, Kathy was right along his side – helping in any way possible.

She eventually took a teaching position at Coaker Academy, and at the time was pregnant with their first son, Harold. Two years later, wanting more children, Kathy experienced an ectopic pregnancy which required life-saving surgery in St. John’s and at that point decided to welcome Brian and Anne into the family through adoption. She was ever grateful to have them both in her life and never once treated them as though they weren’t her own.

As their life went on in Virgin Arm, Kathy grew to know all of the community members and formed unbreakable bonds that would inspire her to lead the inception of the Women’s Institute branch in Summerford in 1968. She would also chair the first Women's Institute Conference in Newfoundland and Labrador, being president at the provincial level. She was a pillar of women's activism and pushed forth educational programs that targeted the independence, support, and social program structures for rural and urban women. In a rural area like New World Island, the Women’s Institute was the only thing connecting the provincial and municipal government to that demographic in the area. 

Kathy’s advocacy for women in the community provided decades of research, health education network, community teaching, law reformation, and much more. This work went international, where she attended high-ranking meetings with the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada (FWIC) and their international affiliate, the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW). Kathy's passion came to a pivotal moment in 1980 during an ACWW meeting in Hamburg, where a heated debate unfolded: should women from communist Poland, then behind the Iron Curtain, be allowed to join the Women's Institute? American delegates strongly opposed it. Kathy's fierce advocacy for women's empowerment ignited, and her voice was heard loud and clear on the meeting floor; a new vote was held, and the Polish women were admitted. This act of bravery was at the root about inclusion and empowerment for women living in a politically isolated country.

After her travels with the W.I., Kathy grew her roots deeper into the community of New World Island, and was the first woman to serve on the board of Newfoundland Light and Power. She selflessly provided lay ministry in the parishes of Twillingate and Gander Bay area. She was awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1997 and the Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Award and medal in 2001 for over three decades of volunteering at local, provincial, national, and international levels from the Rural Development Association.

Suffice to say, Kathleen was a fierce advocate for her community, family, and friends. Her church sermons were reflective, uplifting, and soul-stirring. She was a talented home cook – with recipes galore; written on every possible remnant of paper, a sailor, swimmer, cross-country skier, quilter, theatre patron, dancer, and book worm.

Her last evening was spent with her cherished husband who was playing the accordion while she had a glass of wine.

She leaves a legacy of love, knowledge, and empowerment that will be passed on generations to come.

Just remember, “Granny” also loved three things: a glass of wine, a good party, and a dance! While we are saddened by her loss, anyone who knew her knows that to honor her legacy is to match it: seizing the moment, and experiencing life to the fullest.

Kathy's Funeral Service will be held Sunday August 10th at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Twillingate - 2PM. Interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Reception to follow.

There will also be a celebration at a later date at Lanes Retirement Home in St. John’s. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Kathy’s name to The New World Island and area Food Bank. Email money transfers may be sent to nwifuneralhome@nf.aibn.com

Cremation has taken place. No public viewing.