Memorable Manitobans: Sheila Smith Quinton (1927-2005)

Skater.

Born at Winnipeg on 15 March 1927, she attended Rupert’s Land Girls School where she enjoyed all sports at a competitive level. After graduation, she concentrated on her favourite sport, figure skating, and went on to train under renowned figure skating coach Otto Gold in Ottawa and Vancouver, together with future Olympian Barbara Ann Scott.

In 1945, she was a Canadian Pairs Champion, winning the Silver Medal with skating partner Ross Smith, and again in 1948, as well as winning the Senior Waltz Title. The following year she turned professional and taught at the then-new Winnipeg Winter Club. She also taught at Rochester Figure Skating Club in Minnesota and later at the Ice Club of Greater Winnipeg.

On 22 May 1952, she married fellow sports enthusiast Richard Joseph Peter Quinton (1928-2014). They made their home in Winnipeg and went on to have three children. She trained her youngest daughter Kimberlee in figure skating and saw her become a member of Canada’s 1979 World Professional Figure Skating Team.

She enjoyed morning swims in spring and fall in the Red River near her home on South Drive, and summers swimming and playing tennis at Victoria Beach, where she also started her windsurfing career at the age of 65 years. In the winter, she cross-country skied along the Red, accompanied by her two dogs, and spent time with her husband, children, and later, grandchildren, at Kauai, Hawaii. She was an avid supporter of her grandchildren’s activities in sports, dancing, and singing.

She died at Winnipeg on 23 May 2005.

Sources:

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 25 May 2005.

Canadian National Championships Medallists, Skate Canada.

Obituary [Richard Joseph Peter Quinton], Dignity Memorial.

This page was prepared by Lois Braun.

Page revised: 17 August 2022

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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