Obituary of Nora Henderson

HENDERSON, Nora Sheila (1932-2014) Sheila passed away peacefully on Monday, June 10, 2013 at Mt. Sinai Hospital at the age of 81 after several years of declining physical and cognitive health. Born in Manchester, England on January 20, 1932, Sheila was an only child whose determination and promise in academics and athletics allowed her to win a scholarship to a local county private school during the challenging conditions of the War years in Britain. Her father Charlie was a spirited Irishman who served in the British Navy in WWII , while her mother Alice (nee Irving) was a Yorkshire native who passed along her fiery red hair and love of debate to Sheila. Striking out on her own at a young age, Sheila parlayed early success in a prominent London hotel to pursuing a similar opportunity in Canada, and left the UK in 1954 for Canada . Always an adventurer and a fearless traveler, she met and married her husband Paul Henderson in 1958 and settled (briefly) in the suburbs of Toronto. A devoted and loving mother to her two sons, Marc and Rourke, and step-daughter Dana, she loved music, theatre, cooking and tennis - all passions which she passed along to her children. A well-travelled and international life followed which included many years living in London, England (1970's and 80's) and Nassau, Bahamas before returning to Canada in 2006, where she was able to develop a special relationship with her daughter-in-law Mandy and grandchildren Devin, Ryley, and Keri. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES CHAPEL LIMITED, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday. Private family service to be held. Cremation. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.