Centreville, NS
August 31, 1923 - March 9, 2024
Minnie Florence (Keizer) Sheffield, age 100, of Centreville, Kings County, passed peacefully into the Heavenly Gates on Saturday, March 9, 2024 in Valley Hospice, Kentville, with her loving family by her side.
Born on August 31, 1923 in East Halls Harbour, she was a daughter of the late Leslie and Florence (Robar) Keizer and the last surviving member of her immediate family. Shortly after her birth, Minnie’s family moved to Centreville, Kings County, where she remained until her passing.
Minnie faithfully attended the Centreville Baptist Church. She was a member of the Centreville 50 plus club and an honorary member and held many positions of the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary, Branch No.6, Kentville and volunteered regularly with catering, crib tournaments, flower delivery and the annual poppy drive, to name a few. Minnie was heavily involved with her community in Centreville, affectionately known as the "Old Crow", "Mayor of Centreville" or "Sherriff of Centreville". In 1949,
Minnie joined the Centreville Good Neighbour Club and held virtually all executive positions, including President, Treasurer, Secretary and Ways and Means. As the schools in Centreville started to close, the Club took on the responsibility of the oldest and smallest school building as their meeting place, eventually evolving into the Centreville Hall Association. The Association purchased the larger schoolhouse in 1968, and the Centreville Community Hall was created. Minnie was also the President and Treasurer for the Centreville Hall Association, with some responsibilities including hall bookings, collecting funds, paying the bills,
convening the meetings and helping facilitate maintenance.
For many years, she organized the Fuel Supper, which provides money for fuel to heat the hall. Minnie was also the organizer for the annual charity drive that collected for CNIB, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, VON, Kidney Foundation and the Red Cross. She was also the writer of the Centreville news column in the Valley Advertiser for many years. Though Minnie was never one to boast or seek out recognition, she was nominated and won many awards throughout her life. She received the Palm Leaf Meritorious Service Award (1992), Royal Canadian Legion Coastal Communities Network Proud Community Award (2000), Legion Person of the Year Award (2003), Outstanding Volunteer Award (2009) and the Representative Volunteer of the Year Award (2009) presented by the Nova Scotia Lieutenant Governor, Maryann Francis and Premier Rodney MacDonald.
Though her accolades are many, Minnie’s pride and joy was always her family. You could call her day or night and she would always be there. We were all blanketed in her unconditional love and never went a day without knowing how special we were to her. She enjoyed playing cards, especially 45’s and crib, and watching game shows. Minnie was a modern woman before her time and will be deeply missed.
Minnie is survived by her sons, Eugene (Madeline), Centreville; and Garnet (Betty Rafuse), New Minas; daughters, Rhoda Bennett, Somerset; Tena (Rick) Power, Centreville; Joy Simpson, Centreville; and Carol (Daryl) Misner, Chipman Brook; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and extended family.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Ralph Sheffield (1981); brothers, Willis, Harry and Roy Keizer; sons-in-law, John Simpson and Wendell Bennett; and great-grandson, Damian Bennett.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks of appreciation to Tena and Rick for having Mum in their home for the last year, as well as to Dr. Nunn, wife Janice, and her homecare team for providing exceptional care, and Valley Hospice for blessing her with special care and music in her final days.
Cremation has taken place. Donations in memory may be made to the Valley Hospice Foundation, Centreville Hall Association or a charity of choice.
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