In Memory of Sheila Haddow
It is with real sadness that we share the news of Sheila Haddow’s passing.
Sheila Haddow 29 October 1922 – 9 February 2021
Sheila died on 9th February at the age of 98. She remained independent, living in her own home where she enjoyed her garden still pruning just two days before she died.
Sheila was introduced to SCT when her husband was diagnosed with a osteosarcoma in December 2004. Sheila coped with Leslie’s illness through her strong faith and with the practical and emotional support of friends and neighbours. Sadly, Leslie died on 27th April 2013.
“I was truly shocked and saddened to hear of her death - I honestly think we have lost SCT’s number one fan. I will miss our correspondence but feel very lucky to have known her.”
Sheila would always write to congratulate me on putting together these newsletters and to express her best wishes to Prof. Tim Briggs to whom she was so grateful for extra time with her beloved husband. I was truly shocked and saddened to hear of her death - I honestly think we have lost SCT’s number one fan. I will miss our correspondence but feel very lucky to have known her.
Sheila’s friend Harry Jones tells us more about her incredible life.
Sheila and her twin brother were born in Melbourne on 29th October 1922. Her father had been a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps in the 1914-18 war. The family lived about 12 miles from Melbourne, overlooking the sea at Port Phillip Bay. The house had a large garden where animals played an important part in Sheila’s life (cats were undoubtedly her favourite).
She was a voracious reader from a young age, went to a boarding school called Clyde in 1935 then after matriculating studied for a Diploma in Music at Melbourne University Conservatorium. She was an excellent pianist. She studied shorthand and her first job was as a secretary to a doctor in Melbourne.
In 1942 she joined the Australian Women’s Army Service serving in the Royal Corps of Signals until February 1946 having worked her way up through the ranks, seeing service across Australia.
From 1947 to 1958 she worked for a firm of solicitors in Melbourne, then emigrated to England to work with a large firm of London solicitors, continuing there until retiring in 1986.
In 1966 she met Leslie, a lecturer at the former Regent Street Polytechnic. They married in 1968, living first in Kensington until moving to Claygate in Surrey in 1974, both commuting until their retirement in 1986. Leslie was a member of MENSA and both he and Sheila regularly attended MENSA residential weekends and discussion groups.
Sheila was an active Christian in her local church where she led a Bible Study Group, served on the Deanery Synod, wrote prayers for the Church Magazine, sung in the choir, and was an active member of the Prayer Ministry and its Pastoral Care Team. The ‘Connections team’ for senior citizens became very important to her. Despite her own seniority and a bout of ill health she regularly visited residents at the local Care Home.
Sheila defied her age by being an avid computer user and relied on e-mail as her preferred method of communication, which allowed her to keep in touch with friends and neighbours but also, importantly, family, including those in Australia.