Julian and Glenda Walton

We have heard that you have lost your sister Sheila and we would like to extend our sympathy to you at this difficult time and to share a couple of happy memories.

Having known Sheila for almost fifty years we were aware that her life was becoming increasingly difficult but we will really remember her as she was in Mombasa where we met. She taught with the O.D.A. in an all girls high school at Matuga on the south coast where she must have provided an outstanding role model for the girls, many of whom were actually Muslim. Sheila was more than just a teacher to them, she was in fact their mwalimu, a swahili word which includes understanding and friendship. Sheila was an excellent teacher much admired by all her colleagues and friends.

We knew her socially too. Trips to Tsavo, the rowing club, parties, Sundays at the beach and so on. Sheila was pretty much at the heart of everything. A beautiful young woman, really clever and extremely funny, almost invariably at her own expense. She was really popular and treated everyone who knew her with respect and dignity. We are still in touch with a couple of her ex colleagues who are still in Mombasa and we have made them aware of Sheila’s passing.

Tomorrow at nine we will pause for a few quiet moments of thought and reflection.

Respects,

Julian and Glenda Walton