Born to William Patrick and Kathleen (Kitty) Keegan in London during World War II, Sheila and her family lived on the lower floors of a small row house in Willesden Green in north London, England.

Even in her early years Sheila encouraged learning in others. She engendered a love of books in her younger sister Christine by reading her the stories by English school teacher and author Enid Blyton, specifically the tales of a young girl, a mouse and a bunny rabbit, Josie, Click, & Bun & Little Tree House.

The close-knit family survived the regular bombardments and harsh conditions of the day but by the late 1940's there was little incentive for them to remain in war weary England.

The family had the choice of emigrating to Australia, South Africa or Canada. With only days to spare before leaving for South Africa, there came an opportunity to go to Canada. They chose to traverse the Atlantic and arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in January 1948. The family continued west until they put down stakes firmly in the center of the continent in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Sheila was taught by an order of nuns renowned for education — the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Her teachers saw in her numerous natural qualities that made her future vocation an inevitable choice. Sheila showed a flare for writing and poetry, a talent for dramatic performance, a wicked sense of humour, a patient demeanor, a serious commitment to imparting knowledge to others, and the unique ability to help others just to the point where they, themselves, could find the answer. A strong support network of peers and a love of working with children only added to her abilities.