Sheila passed away peacefully at the Rockcliffe Retirement Residence in Ottawa at the age of 93. She was predeceased by her parents Robert Morrison Weir and Katherine Janet (Menzies) Weir, and her husband Malcolm "Mike" Kenyon Nelles. She is survived by her children Stephen (Kathleen), Celia (Stan), and Kate (Paul); and her grandchildren Alexander, Duncan, Claire, and Phillip.

Sheila was born in Montreal and grew up in Vancouver. She became head girl of York House School, which began a lifelong commitment to helping her community and inspiring others. She had the innate ability to acquire and impart knowledge. She graduated from UBC with a degree in law. After being called to the bar, Sheila moved to Ottawa to begin her career as a civil servant, joining first Health Canada then External Affairs as a Foreign Service officer. She was a woman before her time. She enjoyed postings to Poland and then to the International Control Commission in Vietnam. Sheila and Mike raised a family in Ottawa, as well as in London, England; it was a time of adventure and travel.

She was a selfless volunteer and was awarded the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award in 1997 in recognition of her voluntary contributions. Her volunteer work included serving as a counsellor for the village of Rockcliffe Park, as well as volunteering at family service organizations and at her local library. She also particularly loved volunteering at the Rockcliffe Park Book Fair.

Once her children were older, Sheila re-entered the workforce, first as a partner in The Bookery, a children's bookstore in Ottawa, and then at Transport Canada, a job that saw her posted back to London as policy advisor to the Canadian delegation to the International Maritime Organization and as a counsellor to the High Commission. After her retirement, Sheila was able to visit more corners of the earth.

Sheila's sharp wit, generosity, gracious spirit, love of books, and a knack for doing things the "proper way" will always be remembered. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.