We are very grateful to the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace for this obituary.

Sr Sheila was born in Ballintogher, Co Sligo, Ireland on 26 June 1931. She was the fourth child born to Patrick and Catherine Clancy. On the 4th November 1947 Sheila responded to God's call and came to Rearsby to join the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace. She made her First Profession on 15 August 1950 and her Final Profession on 15 August 1953.

Sheila had a wonderful flair for cooking. Being naturally gifted in this field she pursued courses at the Technological Colleges in Glasgow and Grimsby. Today when we're all following the potential 'stars' I often think Sheila would have emerged as champion. Her delight was to produce a delicious meal and her presentation was invariably a feast for the eyes as well as for taste. She made every meal special. For a big occasion she was queen.

Sheila served at Mount Carmel Convalescent Home, Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland from 1958 until 1963. This residence was run by our Sisters and catered for older people who needed a rest or a break or were recuperating from illness. The house had a lovely chapel and Mass was celebrated daily which was appreciated by many of the guests. In 1963 Sheila moved to St Peter's College, Kilmahew. This was the Diocesan Seminary for young men preparing for the priesthood. Sheila took charge of the kitchen there and served until 1968 when she moved to St Hugh's NurSing Home, Cleethorpes where she served until 1982. This was a very challenging aSSignment as we had a large community of Sisters in the convent and a 36 bed nursing home next door. Sheila was responsible for all the catering for Sisters, Staff and Patients. There was a police station across the road from the convent and often the police called for a meal for someone they had taken into custody. I'm sure many a prisoner appreciated Sheila's cooking.

In 1982 Sheila returned to Mount Carmel where she served until 1986. We were in the process of closing Mount Carmel and Sheila decided she would work in a presbytery. The Sisters at the time were a little concerned that her dishes might be too expensive for the 'Chapel House' as it was known in Scotland. A Sister went to talk to the priest and he assured her that was not a problem. He was thrilled to have her and was delighted to be able to host various meetings for the civic authorities as well as the deanery and the Bishops. Sheila's dishes were appreciated by all. Sheila spent 25 years there and assumed a lot of parish responsibilities, answering phones and door bells, opening and closing the church and seeing to the myriad things that are part of parish life. During her time there she received a civic award for her services in the community.

The parishioners were very kind to her. Sheila went to Ireland a few times a year to visit her family. Often she travelled with people going over by car and enjoyed door to door service. While in Ireland in 2010 she took ill and came back quite unwell. She was admitted to Wishaw Hospital where she spent several weeks. She returned to St Bride's for a short spell and was hospitalised again. Sheila was transferred to Stonehouse Hospital for rehabilitation. On June 26, 2011 Sheila celebrated her 80th birthday. St Bride's Parish put on a lovely celebration for the occasion. Sheila, wheelchair bound, was taken by her friends to St Bride's Hall where Fathers Ryan and Ness concelebrated Mass and paid wonderful tributes to her. The parish gave her a present of a crystal oyster-shell with a pearl inside and Sheila was reminded that she was indeed 'the pearl of great price'. The hall was packed for the occasion and after the Mass, during the refreshments people lined up to have a little chat with her. She thoroughly enjoyed the evening as indeed did all who were present. Sheila had the opportunity to say her good byes and thanked the parish for the celebration and for all they had done to help her over the years. She wished them and the parish every blessing.

Sheila died peacefully on September 8, 2011 in Stonehouse Hospital, Scotland. May she now enjoy the love and care of God whom she served so faithfully.