BGen (Retd) Sheila Anne Hellstrom CD

Add new comment

Brigadier-General (Retired) Sheila Anne Hellstrom CD, BSc, LLD, a proud Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) veteran and the first Canadian woman to reach the military rank of Brigadier General, passed away in Ottawa, Ontario on December 7, 2020.

The daughter of Albinus and Dorothy (Née Zinck) Hellstrom, Sheila was born January 15, 1935 in Lunenburg, NS and graduated from Lunenburg County Academy in 1953. Her dream to pursue a military career began during the Second World War after hearing many stories about military life from the Norwegian sailors located at Camp Norway, a military training base in Lunenburg.

In 1954, Sheila joined the RCAF University Reserve Officer Training Plan at Mount Allison University. Sheila graduated from Mount Allison with a Bachelor of Science (BSc), majoring in Biology.

In 1956, Sheila was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer and started off her RCAF career in Manitoba as Gimli Station Services Officer. Across her 36 years of service to her country, she completed numerous postings and assignments. In 1973, then Major Hellstrom became the first military woman to attend the Canadian Forces Staff College in Toronto. In 1980, she became the Deputy Director Women Personnel and supported and monitored the Service Women in Non-Traditional Employment and Roles (SWINTER) trials.

Sheila continued to make military history when, on June 19, 1987, she became the first woman to achieve the rank of Brigadier-General and assumed the role of Director General Military Personnel. Brigadier-General Hellstrom’s career culminated in 1989 with a much-loved assignment as Chair of the Committee on Women in the NATO Forces. In the same year, she was also bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) from Mount Allison University, her cherished alma mater.

After her military retirement in 1990, Sheila continued to champion the recruitment and full integration of military women by serving on the Minister of National Defence’s Monitoring Committee on Change until 1994. Brigadier-General Hellstrom also worked and volunteered for many other government and local agencies. Highlights include 22 years with the Ottawa Division, Canadian Corps of Commissionaires in such roles as Board Chair and 5 years as advisor to the Ottawa Police Services Board for women in police services, race relations and employment equity issues. Often described as a “trail-blazer”, throughout her life Sheila demonstrated an unwavering commitment to transformation, diversity and inclusivity.

Sheila was also an active and proud member of the Canadian Nordic Society, a salute to her father’s family from the Aland Islands of Finland. Sheila was also a lover of opera, travelling throughout North America and Europe to enjoy live opera.

An Interment Service will also be held in Lunenburg, NS on October 16, 2021.

Per Ardua Ad Astra

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BGEN (RET’D) SHEILA HELLSTROM

Padre Don Collar

Chaplain Leads Procession:

“ I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25

Processional Music – Marietta’s Lied

Call to Worship:

" I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

Prayer of Invocation

Chaplain - Welcome and Introductory Statements

Eulogy – VCDS – LGen Francis Allen

Eulogy – Comd RCAF – LGen Al Meinzinger

Eulogy – Family – Sgt Richard Akerstrom

Eulogy – Nordik Society – Ms Karin Birnbaum

Musical Selection – Guldet Blev Till Sand

Eulogy – Commissionaires Ottawa – Assistant Commissioner (RCMP) Al Burchill (Ret’d)

Eulogy – Pers Admin Branch – Capt (N) Ret’d Judith Harper

Musical Selection – Puccini – Tosca

Tribute from Volunteers – Capt(N) Ret’d Louise Siew

Journal Reflections – Col Heather Thorne-Albright

Video Presentation

Scripture Reading - Psalm 130 plus selected verses

Prayer

Homily

Benediction

Invitation to Reception by Chaplain

Recessional Music – Cavalleria Rusticana

Digital Guestbook

Garrick Bradshaw LCol Ret'd

A life well lived in service to her country and the women and men of the Canadian Forces. Per Ardua Ad Astra. Rest in peace with the heavens above.

Maj(Ret’d) Lisa Compton

You will be forever remembered for your service to Canada and what you have done for women in the Canadian Armed Forces. For many generations of women to come, you will always be remembered for blazing the path to their future.

Lyne Bragagnolo

Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeting you but I heard so much about you. Thank you Ma'am for your dedicated service, perseverance and for being such a pioneer. You walked in an unchartered territory and you did it brilliantly. Because of your efforts our path was so much better and we own you a lot of gratitude. THANK YOU. You will be missed. May you rest in peace. xox

Bob and Rita Eagan

My wife Rita and I knew Sheila well when I worked as the CFO of Commissionaires Ottawa and Sheila served as a board member and also as Chair. She was admirable in so many ways and an inspiration to everyone she met. I’ll never forget how her warm and welcoming smile filled the room and put everyone at ease. Totally without pretension, Sheila showed that to be a leader one did not have to relinquish their humanity.

Stephanie Tomé

Lest We Forget

Marlene Keefe

I was new to my RCAF career when BGen Hellstrom was promoted to BGen. She inspired so many of us fledgling female RCAF members. All of a sudden, a full RCAF career was possible; attainable.
Thank you for your yard work and daring.
Rest In Peace

Sharon Squire

An amazing woman and trail blazer.

Emily C.

My husband and I had the privilege of being Sheila's neighbour for a short time. We genuinely enjoyed meeting her and getting a very small glimpse into her remarkable life. We wish we could have spent more time with her. Our condolences to her family and friends.

Marion (Maim) White

I met Sheila in Metz, France when she was a young F/O and I was enlisted. We kept only in brief touch over the years. After I got my Commission, I understood what she had accomplished and was achieving. We got together every time I was in Ottawa in later years and spoke often on the phone. I spoke with her only a week before her passing. She was always very low key on her many, many achievements, and I miss her many phone conversations. Will be thinking of you Sheila during your internment service tomorrow. Wish I could have attended Memorial Services and tomorrow!