Longtime Okanagan choir leader steps down
A dedicated choir leader, Sheila Squires, recently retired from her position with the Penticton Golden Echoes choir after 24 years as its director.
Squires sang in the choir for a year but when present director at the time Gladys Estock retired in 1986, she was happy to take over the helm.
Under Squires’ leadership, the Golden Echoes choir sang monthly at many seniors residences and put on concerts at the Leisure Centre on Armistice day, Christmas, and at the spring program every year.
“They were a great bunch of people to work with,” said Squires of her time with the choir. “We’re family, simply that.”
Squires worked in the Harris Music store on Main Street and gave piano lessons to many children when she and her husband, Doug, lived in the West Bench area.
For a few years, Doug’s work took Sheila and their family of six north of Yellowknife, where Sheila was active in the arts and entertainment industry just as she was in Penticton. She was also an Avon lady, and rang many a doorbell where she shared enjoyable visits with numerous citizens in the community.
“She will be missed,” said Gwenneth, a choir member and friend of Squires. “She put a lot of work into what she did, and she was always there for us.”
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