Shelagh Burnip (29 Apr 1947 - 15 Oct 2026)

In loving memory of Sheila who sadly passed away on 15th October 2026 ❤️

A life full of love, laughter, music and unforgettable memories.

After nearly 38 years of marriage, I find myself trying to put into words what my beautiful Shelagh meant to me and to everyone fortunate enough to have known her.

Shelagh was so much more than my wife. She was my best friend, my rock, my soulmate and the person who stood beside me through life. She lived her life to the full, with a fantastic sense of humour, a heart full of love and a kindness that put everyone else before herself.

I always said Shelagh had a heart as big as a bucket, and she gave everyone a little piece of it. That was the person she was. She would listen to you, laugh with you and make you feel like the most important person in the world. Once you met Shelagh, you never forgot her. She had a warmth about her that was rare and beautiful, and she gave love so freely to everyone she met.

Shelagh was a true Cockney girl, born and bred in Hackney, living near the sound of Bow Bells. She loved her Roy Orbison and The Platters, and there was nothing quite like hearing her singing the good old Cockney songs she loved so much. Music was part of her soul, and her sense of fun was infectious.

But Shelagh had another side to her life that many people may not have known about. She was a professional ice skater who performed in numerous ice shows for the BBC during the 1960s. She knew the legendary Torvill and Dean, and one of her proudest claims to fame was teaching Lulu how to ice skate. What an amazing life she had, and what wonderful memories she left behind.

One of our greatest pleasures was our static caravan holidays in Skegness. We had several caravans over the years, but it was never really about the caravan itself. It was about being together, making memories and having that special place where our family could come together. Those times will stay with me forever, and I will always treasure the happiness we shared there.

Family meant everything to Shelagh, and she was so proud of Ryan and Mark. Ryan is my son, whom I brought up as my own, and Mark became like a younger brother to me. Shelagh loved them both dearly, and she was also blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought her so much joy and pride. She cherished every moment with them, and the love she had for her family will live on through each generation.

For nearly 38 years, I was lucky enough to share my life with this incredible woman. There were so many laughs, so many adventures and so many little moments that perhaps seemed ordinary at the time but now mean more than words can ever explain.

The hardest thing about losing Shelagh is knowing that the world has lost someone who made it a kinder, warmer and happier place. But I know that a person like Shelagh never truly leaves us. She lives on in the stories we tell, the songs that remind us of her, the laughter she brought into our lives and the love she left in every heart she touched.

Whenever I hear Roy Orbison or The Platters, whenever I hear an old Cockney song, or whenever I think about our happy days in Skegness, a little piece of Shelagh will be right there with me.

My darling Shelagh, thank you for nearly 38 wonderful years. Thank you for being my rock, for your laughter, your kindness, your enormous heart and for making my life so much richer simply by being part of it.

You were one of a kind, and there will never be another you.

You were loved more than you could ever have known, and you always will be.

Until we meet again, my darling.

Forever my wife, forever my best friend, forever in my heart.

❤️ Rest peacefully, my beautiful Shelagh. ❤️