Sheila, we shared a birthday, laughs, tears and all in between. You took me under your wings 23 years ago, when we moved to Raleigh. Your many kindnesses and thoughtfulness will be missed, but most of all, that inner sparkle. No more suffering, our sweet angel. Honored to have known you. Always in our hearts, Carolyn Gallo

Dearest Sheila, You have left us with wonderful memories, love, laughter, great dinner parties and so much more. Tomorrow, Kees and I will be able to celebrate your life and all those memories via internet. He is six hours away in the Netherlands and I will be Raleigh. We love and miss you so much. Eva and Kees

A very beautiful person, inside and out. I will hold on to the memory of you both having dinner in our new home just a few years ago. Glad I got one last hug while you were both in great spirits. I will miss your letters and great sense of humour. Hope you're up there partying like only the Walshs can and give my dad a kiss from me, love you all always, your loving Niece Janet, Andy and the Holden family, my mum always said best sister in law she could hope for. Rest in peace x x x 😘

Sending my condolences. What a lovely and elegant lady Sheila was. A smile and kind word was always hers to share as a patron of my business for many years. The staff and I enjoyed she and Iain's humor and the love they demonstrated for one another... Beverly Hancock

Dearest Auntie Sheila, always there for me throughout my whole life with your warmth, love and laughter. So many happy childhood memories, of playing with Charlie, sleepovers with your old teddies, always a kind word of encouragement and support. You will be greatly missed, now reunited with your soul mate. Xx

A lovely lady who was once our neighbour when Sheila and Ian lived on Northcliffe, we shared the same love of dogs. So sad to hear the news of her passing away. Joyce and Paul Newton

A good and close friend for 45 years. Reunited with Iain. miss you both 💔💔💔

My closest friend since 1971. Always there and always with the kindest words. I will miss her so much. Despite the distance we wrote regularly and spoke at least once a month on the phone and in the last coupe of years via WhatsApp. She was a genuine person who cared deeply for all her friends and always went that extra mile for them.

RIP Sheila, the good Lord knows how much you deserve it. So terribly sad that you suffered health wise following the tragic passing of Iain, your true soulmate. Rafferty & I enjoyed so many happy times with Iain and Sheila in the UK, Tallahassee and Raleigh. Your memory with stay with us for eternity. We love you. Rafferty & Jim.

Now an Angel in the hereafter, Sheila was an angel on this earth to all who knew and enjoyed the privilege of her friendship . What an un-fillable void she leaves in my life & without a doubt, so many other people's lives too. My sympathy goes out to all Sheila's relatives and friends . She had these words of wisdom for times like this :- " To feel as you do now, you must first have the joy of remembering - the real sadness would be never having had them in your life at all ". she would say. How true. We will all have wonderful memories to recall, to cherish and to be thankful for. (Not so the sad journey of the last 18 months with the loss of Iain & her own escalating illness - albeit endured so resiliently ). My dear caring, compassionate, funny, loving, thoughtful, Always glamorous, "Don't do mornings before eleven" close friend and soulmate ... How I shall miss you. " Out of a restless careworn world into a brighter day " - R.I.P my friend.... Elaine Ollett (UK)

The Daughters of the British Empire in North Carolina send their condolences to Sheila's family and close friends. Sheila will be missed by our members. Julia Carpenter