After her retirement from receptionist at Melrose Rd GP practice, Sheila’s been a member of Firshill TARA committee and secretary for the last six years – following the death of her husband Peter who was previously on the tenants association. And for the last three years, Sheila’s been the chairperson of the local federation of TARAs – ‘AKTARA’. (And if you thought that chairing meetings was straightforward, you’ve never attended a meeting latterly of AKTARA!!!) Being an active member of the TARA means not only that you have to be widely available on the estate, but that you have a seemingly endless number of meetings and appointments throughout the city; Sheila has always been a willing attender and her patience and quiet smile have been invaluable in some of the more tense moments at committee meetings.
Her voluntary organising of the lunch club is renown; her organisation of trips for the Firshill tenants legendary. Sheila has been particularly pleased to see some younger faces begin to attend and be active in the TARA which is testimony to her own qualities of inclusion and support for the young ones.
Her volunteering extended also to her work at Northern General (running the little café at the entrance) and to her church (Sally Army at Psalter Lane) – not just to the estate. A woman who will be sadly missed in future years, but who has held the flame so serenely.