Sheila Merchant

Sheila Marie Merchant passed away peacefully, with her loving family around her, on May 11, 2025, following a stroke and after a courageous battle with dementia, at the age of 87.

Throughout her life, Sheila was known for her lively presence and warm smile. She loved God, her family, friends, caregivers, and music. She was an accomplished pianist, playing Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart and the music of Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers, Elvis Presley, Irving Berlin, Leonard Cohen, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and Billy Joel. Sheila enjoyed her grand dogs, dark chocolate, classical and jazz music concerts, engaging conversations with family and friends, and afternoon tea.

Sheila Marie was born February 6, 1938, in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada to her father William Jones and mother Helen (Murphy) Jones.

Sheila attended the Saint Rita Hospital School of Nursing in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. While living in Sydney she met her husband, Fred Merchant. Sheila graduated valedictorian in 1958 as a RN. Her nursing class nicknamed her "Jonesie". She practiced nursing in New Waterford and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, St. John's, Newfoundland, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, throughout eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Victoria, British Columbia.

Throughout her life, Sheila was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and was a trusted friend to many. She had a warmth that drew people in.

Sheila called home such wide ranging places as Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Massachusetts, Maine, British Columbia, Oregon, and Colorado.

In 2018, Sheila and husband Fred moved to Boulder, Colorado to be closer to her daughters. She loved attending her grand children's games and concerts.

She served her church, Boulder's Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, as a pianist and vocalist. Sheila gave generously of her time, and also volunteered with and supported numerous community organizations.

Her family was also blessed to travel with Sheila to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, as well as savored many holiday celebrations with her in British Columbia, Jacksonville, Oregon, Boulder, Colorado, and Massachusetts.

Sheila leaves a space that no one else can fill. Her spirit lives on in the values she passed down, and in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Sheila is survived by her husband Fred Merchant of Boulder, Colorado; her son Gregory Merchant and his wife Jo-Ann Martin of Massachusetts; her daughter Jackie van Someren and husband Nicko van Someren of Boulder, Colorado; her daughter Leone Merchant and husband Kirk Benell of Longmont, Colorado; her daughter Andrée Christy and her husband Michael Christy of Boulder, Colorado; her sister Gwen Campbell of Quincy, Massachusetts; her granddaughter Hannah Merchant and her husband Dan Reed of Waltham, Massachusetts; granddaughter Olivia Christy of Boulder, Colorado; her two grandsons Max van Someren and Jack Christy of Boulder, Colorado, and many nieces and nephews. Sheila had three siblings who predeceased her, Beverlee, Bernard, and Greg.

Sheila's funeral Mass will be Saturday, May 17, at 2 PM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 1318 Mapleton Ave., Boulder, Colorado. The family invites family, neighbors, caregivers, and friends to join us.

There will be a Celebration of Life in honor of Sheila in the Fall of 2025, where all are invited to share stories, enjoy music, and refreshments.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Sheila's name to Trailwinds Hospice of Colorado. You may find Trailwinds at trailwindshospice.com.