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
Livre de visiteurs
Joe Aitchison
Gail Clayton-Brown
RIP Sheila. You are missed.
Christine Gibb
I had the privilege of meeting her in Ottawa she was an amazing woman
Janice Wilson
Ms Hellsrom (BGen Retd) is a true inspiration to us all. Hers is one of the personas that I have admired and tried to emulate throughout my own career in the RCASC. God speed and may she be forever loved and admired.
Maggie Low
May you Rest In Peace Ma’am! As a 30 year Military Veteran, myself, I know only too well the hardships of working in what’s a predominantly Mans world! I Thank You for trying to pave the Path forward, for those of us who choose to follow in your footsteps! We always seem to have to work twice as hard, just to be recognized as 1/2 as good as our male counterparts! May you Rest In Peace knowing, You made such a positive Difference for me & every other Woman in Uniform! Gods Speed!
Jeanine Mader
I had the great privilege of meeting her. She was a very down to earth person. R. I. P.
Doris Toole
Sheila and I met at Mt A when I played varsity basketball and she was our manager. As well we both belonged to the RCAF URTP. Following our respective graduations, we both enrolled in the RCAF Regular Force as PAdm officers.
Our paths crossed again when I attended CF Staff College in 1973 with Sheila and Ann Marie Belanger. We all subsequently served as the Director of Women Personnel.
Sheila constantly advocated for women's equity issues and provided excellent leadership in all her appointments and undertakings.
Eva Donovan
I was a Cpl in Ottawa when I first heard of her. It was because of her I was part of the SWINTER trials going to Alert.
I believe that she helped create a pathway for servicewomen now and will sorely be missed
Murray Roy Barkhouse
It is a great honour to be Sheila's cousin on her mother's side. I was a great friend of Al and Dorothy, her mother and father, who kept me up to date on Sheila's career in the Canadian military. Sheila and I kept a lively correspondence in the last five years of her life. As a cousin of Sheila's I am very proud of her service and many accomplishments. May she rest in peace, knowing she was a role model to many, and an inspiration to us all.
DeeDee Martin (Cawley) CWO (ret'd)
An icon in my memory. I met her in the '80s when women were making their way into a "man's world". She was very approachable and always available to listen and give advice. Rest In Peace Ma'am.
Sheila and I were both Captains (equivalent) in Rivers, Manitoba, in 1966. She was a standout in a group of officers that was in itself exceptional. We turned some heads when we served together in NDHQ when passersby saw a Major (me) and a BGen sharing respectful hugs in a corridor where we’d run into each other. An outstanding officer, a true leader and a great friend. RIP, Sheila.