Tenth Generation (Continued)
Tenth Generation (Continued)
Family of Dorothy Margaret Zinck (1798) & Albinus Ferdinandt Hellström
2821. Brig.-Gen. Sheila Anne Hellstrom C.D. (Dorothy Margaret Zinck9, Stannage John8, Jacob Daniel7, George Frederick6, Mary Catherine Emoneau5, Frédéric4, Frédéric-Melchior3, Jean Esmonnot dit Serrey2, Jean Esmonnot1) 
. Born on 15 Jan 1935 in Lunenburg, Lunenburg Co., Nova Scotia, Canada.104 Sheila Anne died in Ottawa, City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on 7 Dec 2020; she was 85.104
Sheila Hellstrom graduated in 1953 from Lunenburg County Academy in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Her dream to pursue a military career began during the Second World War after hearing many stories about military life from the Norwegian sailors located at Camp Norway, a military training base in Lunenburg. In 1954, Sheila joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (R.C.A.F.) University Reserve Officer Training Plan at Mount Allison University in Sackviile, New Brunswick. She graduated from Mount Allison with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), majoring in biology.
In 1956, Sheila Hellstrom was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer and started off her R.C.A.F. career in Manitoba as Gimli Station Services Officer. Across her 36 years of service to her country, she completed numerous postings and assignments. In 1973, then Major Hellstrom became the first military woman to attend the Canadian Forces Staff College in Toronto, Ontario. In 1980, she became the Deputy Director Women Personnel and supported and monitored the Service Women in Non-Traditional Employment and Roles (SWINTER) trials.
Sheila Hellstrom continued to make Canadian military history when, on June 19, 1987, she became the first woman to achieve the rank of Brigadier-General and assumed the role of Director General Military Personnel. Brigadier-General Hellstrom's career culminated in 1989 with a much-loved assignment as Chair of the Committee on Women in the NATO Forces. In the same year, she was also bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from Mount Allison University, her cherished alma mater.
After her military retirement in 1990, Sheila continued to champion the recruitment and full integration of military women by serving on the Minister of National Defence's Monitoring Committee on Change until 1994. Brigadier-General Hellstrom also worked and volunteered for many other government and local agencies. Highlights include 22 years with the Ottawa Division, Canadian Corps of Commissionaires in such roles as Board Chair and five years as advisor to the Ottawa Police Services Board for women in police services, race relations and employment equity issues. Often described as a "trail-blazer", throughout her life Sheila demonstrated an unwavering commitment to transformation, diversity, and inclusivity.
Sheila Hellstrom was also an active and proud member of the Canadian Nordic Society, a salute to her father's family from the Åland Islands of Finland. She was also a lover of opera, travelling throughout North America and Europe to enjoy live opera.104
. Born on 15 Jan 1935 in Lunenburg, Lunenburg Co., Nova Scotia, Canada.104 Sheila Anne died in Ottawa, City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on 7 Dec 2020; she was 85.104Sheila Hellstrom graduated in 1953 from Lunenburg County Academy in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Her dream to pursue a military career began during the Second World War after hearing many stories about military life from the Norwegian sailors located at Camp Norway, a military training base in Lunenburg. In 1954, Sheila joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (R.C.A.F.) University Reserve Officer Training Plan at Mount Allison University in Sackviile, New Brunswick. She graduated from Mount Allison with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), majoring in biology.
In 1956, Sheila Hellstrom was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer and started off her R.C.A.F. career in Manitoba as Gimli Station Services Officer. Across her 36 years of service to her country, she completed numerous postings and assignments. In 1973, then Major Hellstrom became the first military woman to attend the Canadian Forces Staff College in Toronto, Ontario. In 1980, she became the Deputy Director Women Personnel and supported and monitored the Service Women in Non-Traditional Employment and Roles (SWINTER) trials.
Sheila Hellstrom continued to make Canadian military history when, on June 19, 1987, she became the first woman to achieve the rank of Brigadier-General and assumed the role of Director General Military Personnel. Brigadier-General Hellstrom's career culminated in 1989 with a much-loved assignment as Chair of the Committee on Women in the NATO Forces. In the same year, she was also bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from Mount Allison University, her cherished alma mater.
After her military retirement in 1990, Sheila continued to champion the recruitment and full integration of military women by serving on the Minister of National Defence's Monitoring Committee on Change until 1994. Brigadier-General Hellstrom also worked and volunteered for many other government and local agencies. Highlights include 22 years with the Ottawa Division, Canadian Corps of Commissionaires in such roles as Board Chair and five years as advisor to the Ottawa Police Services Board for women in police services, race relations and employment equity issues. Often described as a "trail-blazer", throughout her life Sheila demonstrated an unwavering commitment to transformation, diversity, and inclusivity.
Sheila Hellstrom was also an active and proud member of the Canadian Nordic Society, a salute to her father's family from the Åland Islands of Finland. She was also a lover of opera, travelling throughout North America and Europe to enjoy live opera.104