Sheila Milne

September 16, 1934 – April 28, 2025

Sheila Milne peacefully passed away at the age of 90, with her loving daughter by her side, leaving behind a life that was beautifully lived and deeply loved.

Born on September 16, 1934, in Clinton, Iowa, to Charles and Helen Hannay, Sheila grew up with her dear siblings, Isobel and David. The Hannay family eventually settled in Bridgeport, Michigan, where Sheila spent most of her youth. She attended Saginaw High School, where her vibrant spirit began to shine, and where she would form a lifelong bond with her cherished friend Norma Johnston.

Sheila’s love for swing and big band music was more than a pastime—it was a reflection of her joy for life. Whether it was dancing to a favorite tune or working her after-school job at Jacobsen's in Saginaw, Sheila carried herself with warmth, grace, and quiet strength.

After graduation, Sheila visited her sister, Isobel, in Oscoda, Michigan, a decision that would forever shape her life. It was there she met John Milne, a young serviceman in the U.S. Air Force. Their courtship was brief, but their love was deep and enduring. In 1953, they married, beginning a partnership rooted in laughter, devotion, and shared adventure that would last for the next 63 years.

Sheila and John welcomed their son David in 1954 and their daughter Laura in 1958. Together, the Milne family created a home filled with love, music, movie nights, and the loyal companionship of friends-turned-family, Pat and Lloyd Sutherland. Sheila balanced motherhood with a fulfilling career, eventually managing Shirley’s Furniture in St. Louis, Michigan for over 20 years.

Faith was an important part of Sheila and John’s life together, shaping how they treated others and the values they passed on to those around them. While they were members of St. Louis United Methodist Church and attended regularly, their deepest involvement was in the schools, where John spent his career as a teacher. The classroom and school community became a place where they came to life—in the way they supported students, encouraged others, and gave quietly and generously. Their belief in kindness, service, and gratitude wasn’t just something they talked about; it was how they lived every day, drawing strength from finding purpose in helping others.

In retirement, Sheila and John made their home in Northern Michigan, where their cherished cottage in Carp Lake became a haven of rest, warmth, and friendship. From long afternoons on the deck watching the water ripple in the sunlight to evenings spent visiting with neighbors, Sheila found contentment in life’s simplest and most meaningful moments.

Sheila was greeted in death with open arms by her loving husband John, her son David, her parents Charles and Helen, her sister Isobel, and her brother David. She leaves behind her devoted daughter Laura; her grandchildren Kourtney (Jeremy) Hingston, Haley (Kurt) Malone, Andrew Conlin, and Jace Conlin; and her great-grandchildren Lylah, Mayci, and Averi Hingston, and Wyatt and Everleigh Malone. Her legacy lives on in them—in their laughter, their resilience, and their love.

A joint Celebration of Life for both Sheila and her son David will be held on Friday, May 16th, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Milne family cottage Carp Lake, MI please Laurie for directions at 517 803-9170.

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