Powering Honouring a lifelong learner TanenbaumCHAT

When current TanenbaumCHAT grandparent Dr. Richard Rodney was looking for a way to honour the memory of his late wife Sheila Rodney z”l, endowing the Student Leadership Award seemed like a perfect fit. We sat down with Rick to hear a bit more about Sheila and the selection of this award.

Our family felt that the Student Leadership Award was the perfect way to honour Sheila’s memory as she loved to learn and share her extensive knowledge through travel, education and life experiences with those around her.

Sheila was born in St. Thomas, Ontario in 1942 to Fred and Clara Abbey. After a few years in London, Ontario, the family moved to Toronto when Sheila was 12. She and I met at Harbord Collegiate when Sheila was just 15 years old. We both attended the University of Toronto – I went into Dentistry and Sheila into an arts program.

To help make ends meet as I finished dental school, Sheila left U of T and took a job at the Toronto Star. We married in 1964 and went to Puerto Rico for our honeymoon. It was the first time either of us had been on a plane. Thus began our passion for traveling the world and learning all we could about different cultures, religions, foods and Jewish history.

In 1967, our son Brian was born, followed by our daughter Karen in 1971. Once the children were old enough, Sheila returned to work as a bookkeeper for my dental practice. Then, in 1982, Sheila became Executive Secretary of the Toronto chapter of the Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity. She held that position for 28 years and she loved every minute of it.

Sheila and I were blessed with three grandchildren –current TanenbaumCHAT students, Jonah ’24 and Jaelyn ’26, and Willow. Sheila spent as much time with them as possible and they became the loves of her life.

As members of Beth Tikvah Synagogue for over 50 years, we were both very involved in the community, attending shul, seminars and events – a commitment I still continue. We always had a passion for charitable giving and several years ago created the Richard & Sheila Rodney Family Fund at the Jewish Foundation to assist in these endeavors, and to allow our children and grandchildren to carry our legacy forward.

Sheila had many health issues in her later years, but that never stopped her from traveling and being with those she loved. Suddenly and unexpectedly, after 57 years of marriage, Sheila passed away as she approached her 80th birthday. Her memory is a blessing to all.

Having a Jewish identity and connection to the community was very important to Sheila, and watching her grandchildren thrive in Jewish day school meant so much to her. Being able to recognize other students for their leadership and dedication through this award would have made her so very proud. ◆