Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 08:27 PM

There was a very good section in tribute to her on BBC Radio Scorland's Travelling Folk programme - Thursday 11th Dec edition: should still be available on BBC iPlayer for those in the UK.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 08:58 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: GUEST,Jim and Francie Bainbridge
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 01:37 PM

First met Sheila at Blairgowrie festival 1967, and have been stunned regularly since then by her singing and love of life, She felt a great responsibility as the 'Last of the Travellers' (see the short film on Youtube) and I'll recount an experience I had a few years ago in Galloway. She and Jess Smith did an evening in the old Glentrool school for the locals, and also an afternoon for the young 'uns (age 9-11). Sheila explained the 'cant' language to them- they seemed fascinated when she taught them the cant/Scots version of 'When the Boat Comes In'.
The session finished, we crossed the road to our house for tea- then I remembered I hadn't put the chairs back in position, so returned after a few minutes. As I returned, I heard the children singing, very enthusiastically, while putting their coats on, the song they'd just learned from Sheila!-
.........now THAT is what I call getting through- they will never forget Sheila's visit.
   A loss of a great lady- she would never smoke in the house and on rainy days we provided a seat in the greenhouse entrance- door- wish we'd taken a photo..

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 04:49 AM

(UK) The Telegraph, yesterday, wrote a half page obituary and that from a large right-wing newspaper.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 07:12 PM

Very sad news. Here is a link to Sheila talking on YouTube about singing -and there are also some videos there of her singing.

    Sheila on YouTube

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 07:45 PM

We sang the "Kind Friends and Companions" parting song as our final one tonight at Almond Valley Folk Club. It was our final night in that particular venue so a parting song was needed, and what better one?
Glad it was a "good" funeral and wake.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: GUEST,Anne Neilson
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 05:34 PM

And today's funeral was held on a day of crisp frost and bright sunshine, with a grand crowd of extended family and folk friends.

Thereafter it was back to the Town Hall for a grand get-together with a wonderful buffet provided by the family.
I did a lot of the getting-together but regretfully had to leave before the music had started!

But I'm absolutely certain that Sheila would have loved it!!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 12:30 PM

Derek Schofield's obituary has appeared in the online version of   "The Guardian" - not in the newspaper yet.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 14 Dec 14 - 05:59 PM

The news really shook me up. What a fine achiever she was, a bonny fechter, so many memories of her intensity, honesty, humanity, fierce championing of her family's song and story gifts to the rest of us, and so much more.
Not fair, not fair, not fair.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: maeve
Date: 14 Dec 14 - 11:20 AM

Effsee, thank you for posting Sheila's obituary at 10:19 today.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: Effsee
Date: 14 Dec 14 - 10:19 AM

Belle's obituary from The Scotsman:- http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-sheila-stewart-mbe-1-3631137

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 14 Dec 14 - 06:13 AM

Joe ... another correction is Sheila's date of birth. There has been ambiguity about the year, but her autobiography gives 1935.
best wishes
Derek

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Dec 14 - 03:01 AM

refresh, after requested corrections made.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: GUEST, DTM
Date: 13 Dec 14 - 07:55 AM

"Let's drink and be merry all grief to refrain
For we may and might never all meet here again"

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: GUEST,mairimac
Date: 13 Dec 14 - 06:51 AM

For 7 years Sheila was a mainstay of our Tales at Martinmas festival in Ross-shire, which put Traveller traditions at its centre - and with her songs, stories, reminiscences and general good craic she was very much its warm heart. Folk came from a' the airts in the North, often particularly to meet and hear her. A great tradition bearer, a privilege to know her – sincere condolences to all the family.
Mairi and Bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 11 Dec 14 - 08:18 PM

So sorry to hear the news. A lovely lady and such a way of putting across and song or story!

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: Bearheart
Date: 11 Dec 14 - 05:42 PM

Back in the 80s she and Belle and Ian came to West Virginia to teach at Scottish Week at the the Augusta workshops. That week transformed me. They were all fine musicians and fascinating people, but Sheila influenced me profoundly with her kindness and grace and insight, as well as the powerful and moving way she sang. I am feeling very sad tonight thinking of her being gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: GUEST,Kathy Hobkirk
Date: 11 Dec 14 - 06:15 AM

Sheila was a very special woman,she was a fine singer and storyteller. It was always great to be in her company and I usually laughed myself sore. She was a powerful advocate for the travelling people and their traditions and I learned a lot about the injustice of her life as a traveller - all of which she overcame with good grace. It was a privillege to have known her and to have heard her sing. My condolences to her family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: BobKnight
Date: 11 Dec 14 - 05:14 AM

Funeral arrangements are as follows: Tuesday 16th of December, 10am at Blairgowrie Town Hall, 11am at the cemetery, and back to the Town Hal for a celebration of Sheila's life. Family have requested that you bring your voices and bring your instruments. If there is any change to that, I'll get back with it.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: Mick Tems
Date: 11 Dec 14 - 05:13 AM

I heard the sad news at Llantrisant Folk Club last night. I met Sheila at the Beyond The Border storytelling festival at St Donats Castle some years ago, and she autographed my copy of her biography about her mother, Belle Stewart, Queen Amang The Heather.

Mick Tems

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: Young Buchan
Date: 10 Dec 14 - 05:25 PM

A worthy successor to Belle; I don't think I can pay any higher complement.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sheila Stewart (7 Jul 1937 - 9 Dec 2014)
From: GUEST,Jessie McLean
Date: 10 Dec 14 - 04:04 PM

Sad to hear about Sheila a very worldly-wise woman who told it like it was. A loss not only to family and friends but also the community she lived in. I had a good few laughs with Sheila and learnt a lot about life! xx

Subject: RE: Obit: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart 2014
From: Elmore
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 10:01 PM

Sorry to hear this. May she rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart 2014
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 07:53 PM

I was lucky enough to hear Belle, Sheila and Cathie at the National Festival and also to hear Sheila at the Herga folk club - very sorry to hear about Sheila's passing.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart 2014
From: GUEST,Mike Yates
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 05:40 PM

I first met Sheila, her parents Belle and Alec, and sister Cathie, in 1964. It was a delight to have known them all. On the first occasion they all stayed in my parent's pub in Cheshire (they were booked to sing in a Manchester folk club). My dad asked Sheila and Cathie to help out behind the bar and, years later, Sheila would say that it had been her best-ever experience in a pub - especially as so many pubs refused to allow Travellers in. Later, I would go to see her in Blairgowrie and, if she was near Berwick, she would stop over with us. As everyone knows, she was a splendid singer, a delightful person and someone who will be sadly missed.We can only thank her for giving us so much enjoyment over the years and for allowing so many of us to record her songs, so that future generations will realise just what we have lost.

Subject: RE: Obit: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart 2014
From: GUEST,Anne Neilson
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 04:53 PM

And I'll add my tuppenceworth -- what I'll miss most about Sheila is her wicked sense of humour. She and I had many a giggle about the state of singing and song, but it was always about the fact that she cared deeply and had real expectations (and demands) about what a traditional song should sound like.
I learned such a lot from her by osmosis, and I don't think we disagreed on much. It was a real privilege to have known her!

Subject: RE: Obit: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart 2014
From: GUEST,Sheilian Sheila's granddaughter x
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 04:17 PM

Anne Neilson thankfully told me about this forum , wow it's great to read all your lovley words for my nana , so comforting to me at this time , my nana passing has came as a huge shock to me and rest of her family too was all so quick , but we send our thanks and hugs to you all thankyou xxxx Sheilian Stewart

Subject: RE: Obit: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart 2014
From: peregrina
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 04:13 PM

So sad to read this. It was amazing to hear her at Whitby. Strength and sympathy to her family.

Subject: RE: Obit: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart 2014
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 03:44 PM

What sad news. My condolences to all who know and love her. I have included her name in the "In Memoriam" thread.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart 2014
From: Marmdad
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 02:59 PM

Enjoyed her music, thank you Sheila for recording and singing, and Irenem for sharing.

Subject: RE: Obit: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart 2014
From: Felipa
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 02:28 PM

this website is already updated: http://projects.scottishcultureonline.com/hall-of-fame/sheila-stewart/

I met Sheila once (I'd heard her previously but not spoken to her) and she sent me a Christmas card, so after that we exchanged annual greetings

Subject: RE: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart
From: GUEST,George Frampton
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 01:29 PM

Very sad to hear this. I saw her a few years ago at Sidmouth, and was struck by her wonderful singing and storytelling.

Subject: RE: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart
From: BobKnight
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 01:26 PM

I've been informed by Jess that Sheila passed away this morning. (Tuesday) 9th Dec.

Subject: RE: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart
From: BobKnight
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 12:51 PM

I had a message from Jess Smith who has been very close to Sheila. It seems that Sheila had a bad fall and was taken in into hospital in Dundee. She contracted pneumonia and passed away. I'm not sure exactly when yet.

Subject: RE: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart
From: Northerner
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 12:15 PM

A wonderful singer, an amazing person. Very sad news. RIP Sheila.

Subject: RE: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 12:09 PM

Another great loss. Rest in Peace Sheila, Thank you for the songs

Subject: RE: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart
From: maeve
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 11:58 AM

Goodbye, Cousin.
Maeve

Subject: RE: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart
From: Vic Smith
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 11:16 AM

I was very saddened indeed to hear this news. A magnificent and mesmeric singer with a deep understanding of the tradition and a wonderful repertoire of great songs and stories She was a really lovely person as well as a great singer and over the years since we me in the late 1960s she had often had her singing for her at our folk club and we organised a number of tours for her either on her own on with her family. We also made quite a number of visits up to see her in Blairgowrie,


Here she is with Tina at the 2010 Sidmouth Festival.

Subject: R.I.P. Sheila Stewart
From: BobKnight
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 10:59 AM

Just heard the terrible news that Sheila Stewart has passed away. I have no details.