The funeral of Sheila Howard, one of St Matthew’s most popular parishioners, took place last month with a packed congregation in attendance.
Sheila, 83, who died in hospital of a chest infection, had lived just a few hundred yards from our church on West Moss Lane for close on 50 years. She not only worshipped at St Matthew, but also spent time as caretaker in the days of Ballam School.
Her husband, Frank, another long-standing member of our church ‘family’, said: “It was wonderful to see so many friends and family there. I was overwhelmed by the turn-out and the huge number of cards, flowers and messages was most touching.”
Sheila (formerly Hannaway) and Frank met in 2002 and were married four years later … at St Matthew’s with Reverend Jack Wixon officiating. Indeed, one of the hymns chosen for the funeral service, ‘Immortal, Invisible’, was also sung at their wedding!
Born in Edinburgh in 1939 (her father was based in Scotland on war-time duty), Sheila hailed from Manchester. She had two sons from her first marriage and met Frank on a coach trip to watch a musical.
“I thought she looked very nice and we talked a bit, but it was until a chance meeting on the dentist’s steps in Lytham a week later that I plucked up courage to ask her for a date!” added Frank.
Music was a passion they both shared, as was crown green bowling with Sheila and Frank keen (and very decent) playing members of Mythop BC.
Sheila’s funeral was followed by a service of thanksgiving at Lytham Park Crematorium and the music, carefully selected by Frank, included the Tommy Roe hit ‘Sheila’.
Picture Caption: Sheila and Frank Howard.