Sheila Ann Martin

Sheila Ann Martin Oct 24th 1927 to Dec 30 2018 (Age 91) Born in Covent Garden, London, U.K. to Dorothy Annie Sculpher,( Brand), a housewife and marvellous cook and Walter Sculpher, a professional golfer, and World War 1 Veteran. She and younger sister, Josie were christened at St. Martin’s in the Fields, Trafalgar Square. During her youth, she sang at The Royal Albert Hall with her school choir. The family lived in Westbourne Terrace, London until the Blitz of World War 11 forced them to escape to Wing, Buckinghamshire. They moved to Burcott Lodge to live with retired businessman, Grandpa Berger. She loved to ride her chestnut mare, Melody. As a teen she helped in the war effort as a Land Army Girl, working at a nursery growing fruit and vegetables for England. Her paternal family kept the Queen’s Head Pub, (Wing), and The Dolphin Hotel,(Leighton Buzzard). Here, in a specially constructed hall, Great Grandma Sculpher hosted the unique conventions of The Pearly Kings and Queens of London, where their glittering processions raised much money for charity. It was in Wing that she went to a local dance and met the love of her life a handsome, charming young Welfare officer and fellow Londoner, Don Martin. They later married at the local All Saints Church, Wing, one of the finest Saxon Churches in England, dating to the 10th Century. Her parents, sister, grandparents and many generations lie within its ancient grounds. They had two young children while Don attended Newcastle, Keele and Liverpool Universities for his advanced degrees. Subsequently, they moved to Northamptonshire where Don headed up the Probation and After Care Service for the county known as “The Roses of Shires”. They loved the countryside, Sunday drives through the beautiful ancient Anglo Saxon villages located alongside the Rivers Nene and Welland. Sheila went from a banking career to Social Services. She attended Nottingham University to obtain her degree in social work. Thereafter she worked until 65 helping the elderly and disabled. She was a caring, capable matron of three Old People’s Homes and later, community based social worker for the elderly, always fighting for her clients’ needs with determination, devotion and diligence. She and Don were prominent, well-loved and active in the community of Corby, always seeking to help those less fortunate. She loved to see Don enjoy his hobby of gliding, where he would gracefully soar in the sky above the beautiful verdant,Welland Valley. She lost her beloved Don at the age of only 62, but work and friends kept her busy, along with trips to America. When her health declined, living on her own became untenable and she chose to live the last 17 years of her life with her daughter Joanne, husband Raymer and entourage of loveable Great Danes..thus she received kisses, fun, company and love every day. She adored the sun, sky and people of New Mexico…..she would often state, “There are so many good people here”…and “every day it is so beautiful with these wide open skies and there’s never a bad day, I love it here” She adored our regular trips down to Elephant Butte Lake. She considered herself truly blessed and said so often. Now her peaceful, graceful transition is complete. She will be welcomed in spirit by many family, friend and beloved animals…particularly our magnificent Dane, Giles who recently passed, and will have helped lead his dear old “Nanny” to the light. She leaves behind daughter Joanne Martin-Shaw, son in law, Raymer Shaw and one loveable, Great Dane Marnie, in Santa Fe. Also survived by grandchildren Lee, and wife Alma in Tucson, Chesney, husband Jason and great granddaughter, Emma in Texas. Also, daughter Jenny and husband Graham and granddaughter Esther in the U.K, Niece Maxine, husband Simon and family in Leamington Spa ,Warwickshire.…along with many , friends and people along the way who loved her smile, charm, love of people, ready willingness to celebrate and share a warm welcome and a glass of wine! We always will remember her fondly asking visitors,“ Cup of tea, or a glass of wine, darling?” She was a character to the end. She lived a full and interesting life…loved clothes and jewelry and travelling around the globe, competition winemaking, (winning many first places in Britain), golfing, cooking, photography, birdwatching, brass-rubbing, music of all nationalities, china collecting, languages, spinning yarn, yoga, homeopathics, but mostly, meeting and accepting people of all walks of life, nationality, creed, culture, colour…didn’t matter…she enjoyed them all. We wish to recognize the wonderful folks of Heritage Hospice namely: Nurse Aimee, Main Carer Maria, Carer Lupe, Social Worker Pam, Deacon Jerry, Nurse Elizabeth, Nurse Imelda, Father Yossi…all of whom have helped us make her life comfortable and loved to the end…….. We will miss her, but we will not be sad. We know that she is in a better place, surrounded by loved ones, dancing the waltz with my father once more. She certainly lived an exciting, adventurous and very full life….and left this world, as she had lived, in elegance, comfort and grace, surrounded by love. And so, as she would say…”Good Bye, God Bless and Mind how you go…” Final arrangements are entrusted to Rivera Family Funeral Home. Short services with immediate burial will take place at 1pm, Friday January 11th at Rivera Memorial Gardens, 417, East Rodeo Road, Santa Fe. Flowers, or donations to an animal charity of your choice would be delightful. Thank You.