Sheila Girot (21 Dec 1922 - 6 Oct 2020)

A lot of my memories are of the times we came for Christmas. This is probably because I enjoyed them so much. Coming from a family of three, it was like a party all the time - so many people. There was always a lot of laughter in the house. I always remember being overwhelmed by the fact that your mum could cook for so many people at every meal time and make it look so easy. As I got older, I also wondered how she had so much energy. She was getting ready for Christmas and still had time to 'run' up a pair of trousers for me. Wow!

I remember a time when she came to visit us in Cornwall, the weather was beautiful and we went to a stately home for the day. The rose garden was amazing, I took several photos of my mother and Aunties Sheila together in that rose garden and have included one here as its reminds me of a really lovely day. That image - the warmth of the sunshine and the love shared has stayed with me over the years.

When I started looking into the family history she gave me such in-depth stories about the family, and now it's lovely that Tishy has made the videos about her life as a wren. It sounded so hard on the ships. What a lovely lasting tribute though.

Much love to you all.
Caroline xx

My sister Clare, Elizabeth’s friend from childhood, would visit the Girot home and tell me about Mrs Girot’s great organisational skills, the calm manner in which she managed her large family and her kindness. I was the recipient of this kindness in the 1980’s when I had serious health problems and Mrs Girot quietly arranged for prayers to be said for me in her local church.
She really knew how to manage time and once told me that when the children were young, the ceiling needed painting. She worked out that she had only one spare hour each day when the children were at school and the baby was having an afternoon nap. It would take 15 mins to get out the ladder, paints, brushes etc, 30 mins to paint and another 15 mins to put everything away. This, she did each day until the ceiling was finished! She was really wonderful and will be missed by everyone.

When I joined the extended Girot family, and as an outsider, I remember well, being warmly accepted into the family from first meeting Sheila. Forever feeling at home in her company, she always treated me royally on our visits, just like a son.
We often arrived mid-day after a long drive, and she openly and enthusiastically greeted us with homemade soup ready to be served along with her own bread freshly made. What a treat!
I will always remember the good food she served at mealtimes knowing that menu planning and provisioning would have been undertaken long before our arrival.
I remember her good humour and tolerance, still evident to me, at least, after having managed so many people’s lives; a shared glass of wine before the evening meal; the easy reflective conversations usually late in the evening; a bridge and connection with the past, sharing the stories of a life so well spent.
I remember with such fondness, all the Christmases with her, as a guest in the largest room in the house, along with Allan.
I will never forget the courage and determination Sheila had to maintain her independence for so long but realise that her failing health and eyesight made it increasingly difficult to stay at home. Yet, to remain independent at home until she was almost 97yrs was remarkable.
Sheila treated everyone so individually. I remember so well, her creativity and ability to stay ahead of current trends, with her personalised birthday cards and her willingness to engage with modern technology.
I will never forget her passion for “Pointless” and action-packed films.
She was a remarkable woman and a significant role model. I will miss her greatly and I will celebrate her life from a distance, no less committed to share in our grief on the day we all formally say ‘good-bye’.
Stuart Rosser

The kindness of my mother was nothing more than spiritual. She treated us all the same. Never did she call me stupid. She had a knack of dealing with you. I remember at the age of about eight, I used to help myself to two bob from her purse which was full of them for the bus fares and subway fares for us all. One day she said to me that Mary Wood’s mother had spoken to her about the amount of money I used to spend in the tuck shop. She never asked me where I got the money from. Mum just said - you know Tishy if you ever need anything, you only need to ask. I never took another penny. She was the mother of your dreams. Never in the whole world could you find a better one. I wish in my heart I could be as good as her. Loving you always mum. Tishy.

Mum really was one in a million. I am sure many kids would say the same about their mother, but, Sheila Girot certainly was a remarkable woman. In my youth, she always said that I could achieve anything I wanted as long as I put my mind to it and she was right. In fact we all had her ambition to do well and we all did. She was such a role model to help us: remain calm in times of crises; always see the best in people; believe that education is the key to success rather than material trappings (not always appreciated in my teens when a new wardrobe sounded more appealing)! It must have been hard for her, bringing up nine children on one salary and she experienced many hardships though as children, we were never aware of it and she never hesitated when we wanted to have our friends home for tea. We rarely had a day off school ‘you will be alright when you get there’ she used to say and that has made us all resilient, able to face all the obstacles that we met throughout our lives and only have a ‘sick day’ when seriously ill!
As the eldest girl in our family of nine, I was inspired by her. Reflecting back, she was the mother who always cooked ‘interesting’ meals (likely to try to ‘eek’ out the meal if any friends popped round); she was the mother who was always trying something different; always knew our individual strengths and helped us realise our potential; divided up the chores, so no-one was overburdened. She was the mother who invented the ‘chart’ to document all our pocket money, wrote it up for the Glasgow Herald and was invited to appear on the television. Now, as a mother myself, I can understand her hidden anxiety while I was hitch-hiking across Europe with my student nurse friends and also during the 6 years running a small bush hospital in a remote village in Colombia. This was at a time she went out to work, aged 52yrs, for the first time since she married and only because my Dad retired, with the younger siblings still at school. She was always there to support, point out the challenges and help us to make our own decisions.
After Dad died, I was so proud of her when she mustered the courage to get out and have many lovely holidays with friends, both at home and abroad and she particularly enjoyed a couple of truly lovely holidays with her sisters. In later years, she painted watercolours, knitted stylish jumpers and of course shawls for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, created some beautiful needlework pieces, and always enjoyed visits with each one of us. During her 90th year, she spent special time with each one of us to celebrate so that she could enjoy the celebrations throughout the year. She always had a smile, enjoyed simple pleasures and had a warmth that endeared everyone to her. More recently, she was the mother who did her own internet shopping, created bespoke birthday cards, kept the house contemporary and loved her garden. Above all, she was intelligent, creative, imaginative and thoughtful to all and made us each feel special. We should not be sad she has gone. We are her legacy and she will live forever through us. We must celebrate her long and rich life and be glad we had her with us for so long. Go give Brian your company, Mum, he will need you with him.
She really was one in a million. Love you Mum and miss you for ever.
Rest in peace.
Elizabeth x

She was a lovely lady. Thoughts and condolences to all. Love Caroline xxx

Mrs Girot, as I always think of her, although she encouraged me to call her ‘Sheila’, was the only person left alive who, as an adult, knew me as a child. She must have wondered at times whether I was a suitable friend for her daughter Elizabeth and I’m sure she knew more than she ever let on of our (reasonably innocent) misdemeanours! She just left strawberries and cream in the fridge for us and let us grow. When I think of her I see her pregnant up a ladder repapering the hall, finding treats from nowhere to make a night that wee bit more special and pouring a gin and tonic for Mr Girot.

She delighted in unexpected travel, was frustrated in unfulfilled potential. Her children all have inherited her intelligence, her insight and her ambition, be it for football, for doing good or being the best in their field.

Hers was a quiet rebellion underpinned by a steadfast faith. I am so glad I passed muster in her eyes and so sad to see her go. St Peter, I’m sure will breathe a sigh of relief when she arrives. ‘Thank goodness’ he will say, ‘ We need you here’. Rest in Peace.

Clare Hunter (nee Higney)

What a beautiful life.... Sending love to the family.

Iam so very sad to hear of your mum’s passing and would like to add my deepest condolences to those above. You are in my thoughts and Iam sending much love 💔 xxx

It was a difficult time watching - from a distance - as Mum deteriorated over the past few months. Some might say its was not a dignified end for our lovely Mum. However, there was not much dignity in the sight of Mum kneeling in front of an open fire holding a newspaper up to it to try to draw the fire into action. Nor was it dignified to see Mum perched up a ladder which was itself perched half-way up the stairs as she painted the wall above the stairs. No Mum was never big on dignity, but on love and respect for others - both imparted not with words but by example. With so many children to look after, there was little time for words. In fact back then for Mum there was little time for herself. Love you Mum xxx

May the peace of Christ be with you. My condolences to all. I’m so sorry for your loss.

I added my condolences to all of the family, on your Mother's notice, in The Herald. Your Mother was a remarkable lady in so many ways and it was my privilege to know her.

Losing Brian was a blow and now your Mother. I am sure you and the family will be comforted by their reunion with your Father.

My family are thinking of you all at this time.

Ian.