Sheila Mae Mazeppa

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend Sheila Mae Mazeppa (Wandler) who passed away in Abbotsford on May 27, 2024, with her family by her side.

Sheila was born in Kimberley, BC on May 7, 1939, to Emily and Tom Wandler, the third of 8 children. The family moved to Trail in 1940 where Sheila grew up, met and married Zeke (Roger). Sheila was predeceased by a baby brother Eugene, her parents Emily and Tom Wandler, parents-in-law Albina and Joe Mazeppa, sisters Joan Jacobson, Louise Caputo, and Yvonne Savage, sister-in-law Ursula Wandler, brothers-in-law Ken Savage and Ron Jacobson. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Zeke, her sons Rich (Tamara) and Mark (Curt Maze), siblings Gary Wandler (Deborah), Judy Gilbank (Ken) Deb Wandler (Al Skakun), brothers-in-law Ken Caputo, Wayne Mazeppa (Sadie), and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

Sheila started her work career as a teen at the lunch counter at Moffatts and Woolworths. She later went to work in the kitchen at the Trail Hospital.  Sheila followed Zeke to Nanaimo during his schooling for his apprenticeship and while there she worked at two different bakeries. After 8 months she moved back to Trail to plan for the wedding. The couple’s first apartment was on Glover Road in Trail. They moved to Aldergrove in 1960 where they rented a unit at the Blue Star Motel. In 1964 they bought their first home where they still reside.

Along with looking after her home and boys, Sheila worked on a daffodil and a flower farm, a mink farm, and spent many years volunteering at the Bradner Hall.

Sheila loved to cook and filled the house with baking, and special treats including perogies and cabbage rolls during the Christmas season, hosting many Christmas Eve dinners and open houses on Boxing Day for family and friends. Her baking was generously shared with family for special holidays and occasions.

She was a very artistic crafter, making many beautiful Christmas decorations over the years for her sisters, friends, and family, and beautiful cross stich pictures for all her sisters. Sheila and her sister Judy enjoyed scrapbooking cropping days and she was very proud of completing albums for her sons with their family history.

Sheila loved animals and referred to them all as her furry kids. She and Zeke travelled, pets in tow  extensively in Canada and the US in their motorhome, meeting new and old friends along the way.

Sheila will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her husband Zeke, their sons, daughter-in-law, and all those who were fortunate enough to have known, loved, and been loved by her.

A celebration of Sheila’s life will be held at the Bradner Hall, 5305 Bradner Road, Abbotsford, on June 22, 2024, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers please donate to your local animal shelter. Carolyn Cizmok of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.