Hi, I read this, more or less, at the Reqiem Mass, on behalf of the whole family.
Martin
Eulogy to Sheila Holt
1st December, 2023 English Martyrs Roman Catholic Church, York
Good Morning everybody, and thank you for coming today. Unfortunately, the weather has prevented some people from coming, so I hope they are able to follow the live stream.
Hello to all those following on the live stream, especially to Emily in New Zealand and those in Scotland.
So as a nod to our Dad, Jack Holt, hopefully also present here today, I am wearing brown boots. That was one of his favorurite corny musical hall poems, about a man who wore brown boots to a funeral.
Our Mum’s fervent wish was that this should be, as far as possible, a happy occasion; a celebration of, and a thankyou for, a long life well-lived.
So let’s try and grant her that wish!
We, that is Sheila’s family, are very grateful for the many good wishes we have received, we really do appreciate them.
I have a lot of people to thank.
For their great help and kindness over the past couple of years:
• Sue, the Manager at Smithson Court, who always goes above and beyond
• Michele, Lizzie and Paul, her regular carers (and Belle, Lizzie’s dog)
• Lesley her cleaner
For their help in organising the funeral today:
• Father Michael from English Martyrs for his help and for putting his wonderful church at our disposal.
• Joanne, Alison’s friend, who has done the lovely flowers for the church.
• Heather at Rymer’s Funeral Directors.
And from myself, a particular thank you to Liz, Ali and John for the enormous effort they have made to get everything organised and prepared, as they always do.
Now I would like to say some nice words in honour of our Mum. In fact, I only have nice words to say.
Who was Sheila Holt ?
Sheila Mary Wells was born in Lancaster in 1930, she was an only child but far from lonely and had a very happy childhood there.
She was very proud of being half Scottish.
At the end of their road, Ashfield Avenue in Lancaster, was Loxam’s Farm. Sheila loved to push Margaret Loxam round in the pram, and they were lifelong friends. Mum gave Margaret her teddy back then, and Margaret gave him back to her just last year, which she was thrilled about. He had just had a makeover to get him ready for his place of honour today.
Not to forget that she lived through the war, which most of us here never have and, we must hope, do not have to.
She went to Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School. One of the ladies at Smithson court did, too.
Sheila felt her vocation was teaching, so in due course, she qualified as a primary school teacher from Darlington TTC.
She first taught in Farnworth, later in Burnley, before finishing as head teacher at the Haulgh, then Chequerbent in Westhoughton. As it turned out, she did indeed love teaching!
In Farnworth, she lodged with a nice family, the Kirwins, and joined Farnworth Little Theatre to help her social life. There, Sheila got to know Jack Holt. Well, we all know what happened then. Probably Auntie Jean more than most!
It might seem an unlikely match as they were very different. My Dad’s life seems like a series of events, full of drama, highs and lows, some triumphs and some disasters. My mum on the other hand was like a continuum of friendly kindness, encouragement and above all complete support for his sometimes wild ideas.
They married at the magnificent St. Peter’s Catholic Cathedral in Lancaster and spent Their honeymoon in Ireland, where they kissed the Blarney stone. But you have heard that story before! The thing was, a business contact of my Dad’s said he would book the best hotels for them. Which he did. But guess what? He did book them, but he didn’t pay!
They complemented each other for 64 years, with their 3 children, 8 grandchildren and up to now 4 great grandchildren. That is definitely one of the triumphs and their great delight.
Our family always enjoyed our holidays at Mawson’s farm in Cumbria. The Macdonalds put us on to the farm, three of the Macdonald children are here today (all about my age!) and in the cottage at Portmahomack, where my Gran was born.
My Mum and Dad moved quite a few times over their lifetimes. Everywhere they went, my Mum made the effort to make friends, many of those lifelong friends or their children are here today. We even nearly moved to Birmingham once.
In Bolton first time round, FloraTinney and Joyce and Alan Platt, Ron and Mona Entwistle, Peg and Ben Turner
In Burnley, Ronnie and Val Tustin,
Back in Bolton all the people around Markland Hill Close, Kath and Bert Daly, Anne & Gerard Greenhalgh, the Molloys, Billie and Basil Barker and so on. Loads.
At Alby Bank, they were again near Margaret Lumb and made many more friends.
In Wetherby, they joined the friendship club at church and met many friends like Paddy abd Denys, Sue Grafton and many others. I do like Sue’s cakes.
And lastly at Smithson Court, Sue and the residents are so kind and friendly, my Mum loved it there and we could not have wished for better. Our Mum lived until the end in great happiness and dignity.. Thank you all.
My Mum was enthusiastic about good causes. In Burton and in Wetherby she was in the WI, in Bolton she worked at the Hospice Shop and did flowers for Bolton Hospice. She often went to retreats with Sister Jessica at Schönstadt.
She loved flowers, loved food, cooking and baking, nice dogs like Blue, Daisy, Mela and Belle and above all her family.
She always had favourites. At one time it was Kieran, Jock held the top spot for a good while until Phil came along. You could always tell by the cake she baked! Her last great favourite was Rafferty Jack O’Hagan! Delight of her life. But he has yet to get into cake.
Mum lived to 93, which is a really good age by any standards. It is sad that she is no longer with us in body, but what wonderful memories we have, and we will always reminisce about the good times, we can start today!
So once again, thank you all. There is a lot to celebrate in 93 years!