TYMCHYNA, Sheila

TYMCHYNA Sheila Maureen Tymchyna (nee: Penney) passed away peacefully in her long-term care home at the Vineyards with her family by her side on December 31, 2025. She was 86 years of age. She will be greatly missed by all she touched in her amazing life.
Sheila was born on February 2nd, 1939, in Coleman Alberta to Amy (nee: Hardeman) and Stephen Penney. She married her high school sweetheart on October 1st, 1960, shortly after graduating from the registered nursing program at St. Michaels School of Nursing in Lethbridge Alberta. She soon put her career on hold to stay at home and raise her four busy children in Cranbrook BC.
When she returned to her passion of Nursing in 1982, she worked predominantly on the Dementia, Psych and Extended Care wards. After nursing she worked for Medi-Gas traveling throughout the Kootenays assessing and checking on Oxygen Patients, along with providing footcare to her diverse clientele.
In her early years she enjoyed horseback riding, excelled in curling, bowling, cross country skiing, achieved her grade 10 piano, volunteering with the Pythian Sisters, Red Hat Society, Maverick Riding Club and the BC Nurses Union. She enjoyed camping and traveled all over North America and Mexico tenting, trailering and in her Motorhome with her family and friends. Her travel bug extended all over the world paying particular attention to the history, people and culture. She visited destinations like the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, China, Iceland, Jerusalem, Isreal, Jordan, several Caribbean Islands and many other countries when she embarked on her Panama Canal Cruise.
In 2012 she uprooted herself to move to Crystal Springs in West Kelowna, for a more central location where she was able to relax and enjoy her family and close friends. She spent the last two years at the Dorchester Retirement Living where she made numerous friendships, participated in the independent living excursions, enjoyed cards, bingo, and skunking family at crib. She spent endless hours watching all sports but was passionate about hockey, curling, figure skating, tennis and the Olympics.
She was not only a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt she was a caring and compassionate friend. She was passionate about staying in touch with everyone from childhood friends, nursing colleagues, relatives (near and far), and any new friends she made along the way. She had a fabulous sense of humor, strong ethics, morals and faith that ran deep and strong. She was the anchor at all family gatherings, Holidays as well as Family reunion camp outs at Fairmont Hot Springs. She travelled near and far to support and cheer on all her grand babies in their various interests, activities, games, and concerts. She had a strong belief in supporting others less fortunate by donating to various organizations, clubs, and The Little Pink School House in Nepal.
Sheila is predeceased by her Husband Walter Ladik Tymchyna (2007); Mother Amy Louisa (Hardeman) Penney (1976); Father Stephen James Penney (1979); Son Wayne Tymchyna (1970); and Sister Alma (Wilson) Roughead (2002); her extended family, Sarah (1945) and Ephraim Hill (1946); Nernie (1964) and Ethel Hill (1990); and Robert Hill (1984).
She is survived by her son Shane (Janet) Tymchyna, daughters Tamara (Paul) Witzel, Janelle (Richard) O’Carroll, Heather (Greg) Robson; grandchildren Sharlynn (Chris) Hill, Derek (Shelbie) Tymchyna, Alayna Witzel, Keanan Witzel, Ashley (Ben) Landis, Steven (Aisha Dinahan) Robson; Great-Grandchildren Eastyn, Kienna, Bridger, Bryar and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sheila will be interned in a private family ceremony at the Fort Steele Cemetery, to take place at a later date, with a gathering to celebrate her life to follow.
Donations will be gratefully accepted by the Kelowna BC Cancer Foundation.