Sheila Yuan Li Tan

I met Sheila many years ago, when she offered encouraging words to the new kid in nose work class. She was the kindest soul. Always.

Every time we would see each other at a trial, seminar, workshop, no matter how far away (Oregon in the heat!) she lit up with a welcoming smile.

She was a skilled and welcome Volunteer at so many events, mine and so many others. She loved learning from watching all the teams and giving to the community.

We had wonderful conversations about dogs, always looking deeper into the science, sometimes just quietly in awe of their abilities and hearts.

We were being awful and chatting up a storm during our last trial walk thru and making plans for July. And then she was gone.

But she will not be forgotten.
The world was made brighter with her in it and that light will spread rather than fade.

Rest peacefully, my friend.

Sheila was such a lovely person and a great advocate for Kit. I didn't know her as well as I'd have liked but I always enjoyed seeing and chatting with her. I miss seeing her in class and I will miss her at trials. I'm heartsick at this loss for her family and the community. All my love, Sheila, wherever you are.

It is sad to think that we will not be seeing Sheila's smile and her joy around others. She and Kit were in my nosework class last year and it was a pleasure to watch her working him. I also enjoyed her comments on the working of other teams as they were very thoughtful, well phrased and helpful. It showed how much she understood the need for a strong relationship between dog and human.

The other thing I appreciated most about Sheila was her willingness to help out in classes, tests, and trials. She was part of what I think of as the "Energizer" team. Each person just kept going, and going, and going.

We miss you dear friend.

I met Sheila at a nosework event. She was such a caring, loving, empathetic person to all people and animals. Her smile always lit up the place. My favourite thing was to watch her compete with her dogs, the joy that showed from her was contagious. The kindness and patience she showed with her dogs was incredible. You are so missed by many of us my friend.

When I first started nosework I remember the one person in the parking lot with the largest most welcoming smile being Sheila. Sheila will truly be missed by many. May she RIP 🙏

Dearest Sheila, this passage from The Psalms 4:8 is for you.
"In peace, I will both lie down and sleep; for thou alone, O Lord, makest me dwell in safety. "

When thinking of Sheila, there are so many adjectives that would describe her. Intelligent, caring friendship, compassion, selflessness, dedicated, and loving. The world has lost an incredible person. I am blessed to have been in a friend. Forever in my heart and in my mind.

When thinking of Sheila, there are so many adjectives that would describe her. Intelligence, caring friendship, compassion, selfless, dedicated, and loving. The world has lost an incredible person. I am so thankful to have had in

Dearest Elaine/Elaine-cheh & family; Serene/Serene-cheh; Shenton & family,

We are very saddened and dismayed by the sudden and unexpected passing of Sheila – our deepest sympathies and condolences to all of you.

We will always remember and hold Sheila in our hearts as someone who was godly, loving, kind, caring, gentle, soft-spoken and generous.

Sheila’s letters & cards were a joy to receive as they were almost always filled with cheery accounts about her life and her dogs.

Over the years, she mentioned that the earlier passing of your beloved Mum whom she was very close to, and then Mac & Genne in recent years - were very difficult periods for her.

We were glad to hear that she had found renewed purpose & joy in training Kit, her German Shepherd – in her own words “Kit… kept me functioning.”

Apart from her beloved fur kids, she also treasured family & friends.

In one letter, she described her plum and pear trees bearing fruit and even remembered that I (Ah Gim) had helped her plant one of them. She also counted herself “…so blessed to annually harvest several kilograms of blueberries (all organic) …” which she would then share with friends and neighbours. Her dogs also loved blueberries and would pluck them off the bushes to eat. On one occasion, she even discovered Mac stealthily eating the collected berries in her bowl whilst she was busy harvesting them 😊

Above all, Sheila came across to us as someone with a deep reverence and love for God as evidenced by all her communications referencing God as the Giver of blessings.

Sheila has, unexpectedly, gone ahead of us into God’s Presence and Glory, to join your dear mum & dad, & other loved ones – a time of rejoicing for them in Heaven, but leaving behind her loved ones on Earth utterly bereft:

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 NKJV

Praying for God’s love and strength to be with each and every one of you during this difficult time – may His Comforter, the Holy Spirit, bless & keep you with His comfort & peace till we all reunite with Sheila and other loved ones in Heaven one day.

Much Love,
Ah Gim, Dilys & Cecil, Fiona & Sik Suan, Ethel & Joseph, and all our families.

I first met Sheila in nosework class with Genne. She was always so loving and supporting with her dogs. Sheila was also very supportive of everyone in our community. If we had a bad performance, Sheila would try to lift us up with inspiring words. She was always one of the first to volunteer bringing her kindness and attention to detail to every task. Sheila continued to learn not just about nosework but about dog behaviour and psychology in general to better understand her dogs. She tried to give them the best lives she could. Sheila's positivity, kindness and gentle ways will be missed by all of us.

Sheila was a fixture in the nosework community and is deeply missed. She was in my class when I started nosework with Genne around 11 years ago and was always smiling and enjoying all the dogs in class. We attended many trials together and had great conversations there and in class.

She was so kind and loved her dogs. I am so sorry for your loss, she will be missed

I met Sheila through nose work. What began as a shared love for the sport and our dogs turned into a quiet but steady friendship—one that grew through Facebook messages, check-ins, and thoughtful comments that always seemed to arrive at just the right time.

Sheila was always so kind to me. That kindness was not performative—it showed in the way she made space for others, in how she listened when I needed to talk about work or life. We shared a similar upbringing, and that common ground made it easy to open up to her. She encouraged me to speak up for myself, to know my worth, and to not be afraid to advocate for what I deserved.

The last time we chatted was last winter, but we continued to connect through comments and quiet support on each other’s posts. That’s how she was—always present, even in small ways.

In a world that often rushes by, Sheila brought care, calm, and compassion. I am grateful to have known her and will carry her memory with me.

Dearest Sheila,

Your sudden passing saddens all of us. As we grief your passing , we also want to remember what a wonderful person you were.

You have been a very close cousin to me and wonderful relative to my family. I remember the fond early childhood memories of your visit to our family in Singapore. We were fortunate to catch up with you last in Sept 2023 and had a wonderful time at White Rock.

We will miss all your Facebook updates on Kit’s frequent competitions. We have often looked forward to your posts on his growing years. I’m sure that he will miss you dearly.

Sheila, you have now gone to a better place. A place where you will be reunited with your parents and your beloved fur babies.

May you be Blessed and Happy in Heaven.

Missing you from all of us,

Kin, Kemmy, Ethan and Reuben

Sheila was my aunt, Godmother, best friend, confidante, second mom, and my kindred spirit. We were both born in the zodiac year of the pig, had countless inside jokes, and an unbreakable bond.

Every summer growing up, I’d spend a couple of weeks in Canada where we’d go camping, fishing, horse back riding, PNE Fair. We’d also travel to Vancouver Island to visit my grandmother. When the visit would come to an end, I would sob on the plane ride home. Those are childhood memories I cherish.

She was an avid dog lover, devout Christian and one of the kindest/purest hearted souls ever. I’m grateful for her, her life, and the impact she had on me. I know she is in heaven watching over me now. Words can’t express how much I’ll miss her.

Until we meet again. I love you always, She She.
ECP Forever ♥️ 🐷 🐷

Dear Sheila,
I am saddened to hear that you left us so suddenly but I do know that you are in a better place. You have reached another destination to meet with your mum and dad; and relatives. You have always been a wonderful cousin and a fantastic aunt to my kids. We all miss you and look forward to the reunion.

Love Chon-Min and family.