Sheila’s daily affirmation
“I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy”
Funeral: 1.20pm, 27th August 2026 | Crematorium: Mortlake Crematorium, Kew Meadow Path, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4EN
The funeral will be streamed live on the 27th and then online for 28 days – Live Stream – username: tibu1223 password: 292808
There is a little get together, after the service, to raise a glass to Sheila: The Ship
About Sheila (Dee)
Born in Dublin, Sheila was, from the very beginning, a natural leader, the one at the heart of the gang, quietly guiding the way. But hers was never a leadership that sought attention or placed her above others. Sheila led with kindness, fairness and an instinctive understanding of what people needed. She made sure no one was left behind, that everyone had a place, and that whatever she had was shared.
That generous spirit remained at the heart of who Sheila was throughout her life. Her kindness was not something she reserved for special occasions or grand gestures; it was woven into everything she did. It could be found in the time she gave so freely, in the help she offered without being asked, in her willingness to listen, and in the countless thoughtful acts that made people feel cared for and understood.
For Sheila, family always came first. Her love and commitment to those around her were unwavering, but her idea of family was never limited by blood or by name. Family was something Sheila created wherever she went. It grew around her through friendship, loyalty, compassion and love. If Sheila welcomed you into her life, she welcomed you wholeheartedly and you knew that you belonged.
Sheila brought this same philosophy to her working life. As the owner of an agency representing singers, actors and other artists, she offered her clients the same attention, loyalty and kindness that she gave to everyone she cared about. To Sheila, they were never simply names on a list or careers to be managed. They were individuals whose hopes, talents and ambitions deserved to be understood.
She took the time to discover what each artist truly wanted and needed. That required patience, effort and the willingness to listen, not only to what was said, but often to what remained unspoken. With her extraordinary creative mind, Sheila could see possibilities others might miss. She recognised what was distinctive in each person and worked tirelessly to help them bring it forward.
Her aim was never to force an artist into somebody else’s idea of success. It was to understand who they were, believe in what they could become, and promote them to the very best of their abilities. She gave them more than professional representation: she gave them encouragement, imagination, honesty and the confidence of knowing that someone was firmly in their corner.
That commitment did not disappear when circumstances became difficult. Sheila’s belief in her artists was unwavering. If someone was dropped, if an opportunity fell through or if something simply failed to work out, she remained steadfast. She supported them through the disappointment, helped them find their feet again and immediately began looking for another path forward. Where others might have seen an ending, Sheila’s creative mind was already exploring new possibilities.
She understood that a setback did not diminish a person’s talent or worth. She did not abandon people when success became uncertain or when supporting them required greater effort. Instead, she stayed beside them, patient, determined and still believing. In an industry that could be unpredictable and unforgiving, Sheila’s loyalty offered something rare: the knowledge that failure was not final and that they would not have to face it alone.
Everyone who met Sheila took something special away with them. She had a rare ability to leave people feeling stronger, more hopeful and less alone. She gave of herself without keeping count: her time, her resources, her energy and her heart. She saw the best in people, sometimes before they could see it in themselves, and she held on to that belief with remarkable determination. Sheila had a deep sense of what was right, and she worked tirelessly to do right by everybody. She never hesitated when someone needed her, and she never turned away simply because a situation was difficult. When the odds seemed impossible, Sheila continued to try. When hope was fragile, she continued to believe. And when others might have given up, Sheila held on.
Most of all, she never gave up on people.
It is no wonder that Sheila was everyone’s favourite aunty and grand-aunty. Those titles meant far more than a place on a family tree. They spoke of the warmth, reassurance, humour and unconditional love she brought into so many lives. She was someone people could turn to, someone who made room for them, and someone whose presence made the world feel a little safer and kinder.
Sheila was a truly special human being. Her life was shaped by courage, generosity and an extraordinary capacity to care. The love she gave cannot be measured, and the difference she made cannot be contained in words. It lives on in every person she encouraged, every artist whose talent she nurtured, every life she touched and every kindness she offered.
Sheila spent her life refusing to give up on any of us. Perhaps the most fitting way to remember her is to offer one another that same patience, generosity and faith.
I have a dream today – Martin Luther King
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
“If you truly loved in the beginning, you will love at the end” Sheila
Sheila has been supporting, directly, people in Gaza. Please don’t send flowers send your support.
“Illegitimus Non Tatum Carborundum” Sheila
20 responses to “Sheila”
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I stumbled into Dee’s (Sheila’s) world over 40 years ago, when I attempted to help one of her artists. I had no idea what I was doing! The entertainments business looked exciting and was certainly a contrast to my world of science and technology.
Dee welcomed me in, listened, watched, supported and offered guidance. Thankfully, I didn’t do too much damage and my efforts sharpened what little wits I had, whilst honing my skills as a copywriter and sound engineer.
More importantly, our numerous conversations over the years provided a bedrock of philosophical reflection and encompassed subjects from religion, politics and society to science, psychology and the arts. Each discussion was a little gem that crystallised an idea, a concept, providing a stepping stone for further enquiry.
In latter years, we remained in touch sporadically and I visited Dee, John and Kay in March this year, after a long break.
Only a few weeks ago, Dee messaged me to arrange a visit, as she wanted to talk through her and John’s ‘beautiful’ business project. Sadly, that visit didn’t happen; something I regret deeply.
Dee never stopped, never slowed down, never wavered. She was resolute, humorous, generous, wise and loved life, despite it’s sometimes cruel path.
I miss Dee so very much.
Paul Nicholas
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Sheila has been in my life since I was 18. A beautiful, warm and open and inspirational character who I can always count on for guidance, love and support. The door was always open & her total support & devotion given even though she had thousands of other things to deal with. Her love and compassion was endless.
I truly cannot believe she is no longer with us – I thought she was in destructible. She always made me laugh & has this wonderful ability to make you believe you could do anything!
I cannot believe you will now be in the park withA few lyrics from an unknown (to you) song.
Why don’t we make this a dream to last forever
Why don’t we take this to the very end
When you feel down , when you feel lonely
Can’t you see I’m feeling , everything you do.You are surrounded by people who love you and who would/will always echo those words for you. The world is at your feet now … walk the walk girl. 🥰
“Illegitimus non tatus carborundum”
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Sheila has been in my life since I was 18. A beautiful, warm and open and inspirational character who I can always count on for guidance, love and support. The door was always open & her total support & devotion given even though she had thousands of other things to deal with. Her love and compassion was endless.
I truly cannot believe she is no longer with us – I thought she was in destructible. She always made me laugh & has this wonderful ability to make you believe you could do anything!
I cannot believe you will now be in the park withA few lyrics from an unknown (to you) song.
Why don’t we make this a dream to last forever
Why don’t we take this to the very end
When you feel down , when you feel lonely
Can’t you see I’m feeling , everything you do.You are surrounded by people who love you and who would/will always echo those words for you. The world is at your feet now … walk the walk girl. 🥰
“Illegitimus non tatus carborundum”
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Sheila has been in my life since I was 18. A beautiful, warm and open and inspirational character who I can always count on for guidance, love and support. The door was always open & her total support & devotion given even though she had thousands of other things to deal with. Her love and compassion was endless.
I truly cannot believe she is no longer with us – I thought she was in destructible. She always made me laugh & has this wonderful ability to make you believe you could do anything!
I cannot believe you will now be in the park withA few lyrics from an unknown (to you) song.
Why don’t we make this a dream to last forever
Why don’t we take this to the very end
When you feel down , when you feel lonely
Can’t you see I’m feeling , everything you do.You are surrounded by people who love you and who would/will always echo those words for you. The world is at your feet now … walk the walk girl. 🥰
“Illegitimus non tatus carborundum”
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Sheila has been in my life since I was 18. A beautiful, warm and open and inspirational character who I can always count on for guidance, love and support. The door was always open & her total support & devotion given even though she had thousands of other things to deal with. Her love and compassion was endless.
I truly cannot believe she is no longer with us – I thought she was in destructible. She always made me laugh & has this wonderful ability to make you believe you could do anything!
I cannot believe you will now be in the park withA few lyrics from an unknown (to you) song.
Why don’t we make this a dream to last forever
Why don’t we take this to the very end
When you feel down , when you feel lonely
Can’t you see I’m feeling , everything you do.You are surrounded by people who love you and who would/will always echo those words for you. The world is at your feet now … walk the walk girl. 🥰
“Illegitimus non tatus carborundum”
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Sheila has been in my life since I was 18. A beautiful, warm and open and inspirational character who I can always count on for guidance, love and support. The door was always open & her total support & devotion given even though she had thousands of other things to deal with. Her love and compassion was endless.
I truly cannot believe she is no longer with us – I thought she was in destructible. She always made me laugh & has this wonderful ability to make you believe you could do anything!
I cannot believe you will now be in the park withA few lyrics from an unknown (to you) song.
Why don’t we make this a dream to last forever
Why don’t we take this to the very end
When you feel down , when you feel lonely
Can’t you see I’m feeling , everything you do.You are surrounded by people who love you and who would/will always echo those words for you. The world is at your feet now … walk the walk girl. 🥰
“Illegitimus non tatus carborundum”
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What can I say about this amazing, positive and happy soul that has left us too soon. Dee was an amazing soul put on this earth to bring joy even in adversity. Her positivity and her kind heart will never be forgotten by anyone in our family. The beautiful and funny basket she sent her “Dr Magic” to his retirement party in lieu of their presence brought a smile to all our faces. It was so well thought out. Despite everything going on in her life Dee would always touch base to find out how we were and how we were doing. My greatest sorrow is we never got to say goodbye as Dee didn’t have the energy to talk at the end. Dee May your soul soar, May you be safe in Gods hands. And May God give strength and peace to all who knew you and loved you to bear this loss. X❤️ love from Dr Magic and Nayna
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I knew her as Dee, and she was a true guiding light to me during my time in London. So many of her words and pieces of advice have stayed with me over the years and will remain with me for good. She was brimming with wisdom, clarity, and that wonderful, no-nonsense honesty. Whenever she told me, ‘Fran, don’t be silly, you just have to stop this oder start that … ‘, it always did the trick.
Dear members of the family I only know through her wonderful storytelling: I am sending you all my love. Dee was quite a character, and knowing her, I’m sure she’s already keeping everyone at pace wherever she is now… pace, mind you, not peace, let’s be entirely clear about that!
Johnboy, I know you need to be strong for Kay and everyone else, but please make sure to give yourself the time and space to grieve. It hurts, and it’s meant to – don’t deny yourself that. You two were joined at the hip (or ‘like backside and bucket’, as we’d say in Germany – I’ll let you figure that one out). I can only imagine how hard this is for you. I send you strength and I feel with you.
I’ll be joining the service online. Thank you for setting that up, John. Thinking of you all, take good care of yourselves, and stay in tune with the universe.
Hey Dee, HITYL xx Fran
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Hey Fran HITYL
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To my dear, dear friend Dee. You were my true friend & I miss you ever day. Hamida xx
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Hi Uncle John and everyone,
This is such a beautiful tribute. Uncle John, your beautiful words really do sum up exactly how Great Aunty Sheila was, and I know she would be so proud.
From my experience of her as my great aunty, she was always incredibly kind, caring and supportive. I remember when I was going through a really difficult time, she would send me lots of encouraging messages and was always there for me. She really helped me to stay motivated, keep going and stay strong.
She also sent me the phrase “Illegitimi non carborundum”, and it’s something that will always stick with me and remind me of her.
The O’Reilly family motto is “Fortitudine et Prudentia”, “with fortitude and prudence”, and I think that feels particularly fitting when thinking about Great Aunty Sheila. She had so much strength, courage and wisdom to share with us all, and I feel very lucky to have experienced that myself.
I’m so sorry I can’t be there with you all in person on the 27th, but I’ll be thinking of you all and sending so much love. Mum and Dad will be there, and I’ll be there with you all in spirit. ❤️
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That’s beautiful too Joanna xx
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Such a beautiful tribute and I wish I had known her better. I will always be grateful for her huge generosity in supporting Christmas presents for disadvantaged kids last year. She was a lovely, kind lady and there are lots of kids who won’t know her name, but she was the reason they got presents that Christmas morning. X
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A wonderful tribute John. we heart Elena and Mariana is with you and Kay…Sheila waz wonderful lovely uman reality it’s never i meet someone like she in we life
She will stay in or hart for ever -
Beautifully written John, you’ve done her so proud. Amazing collection of photos triggers so many memories. Happy trails Auntie Sheila xxx
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Sheila was a very important person in my life. What she did for me will never be forgotten, I will love her forever. Sheila was a little bit of everything in my life, mother, sister, friend. One day our souls met in glory. I love you Sheila forever. I leave here a few words from a Brazilian who will miss you a lot. Joana Borges.
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Lovely words about our lovely Aunty Sheila. Really well done John x
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Lovely words god bless her xx
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What a lovely tribute John, Aunty Sheila would love that xxx
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What a wonderful tribute John. My heart is with you and Kay
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