Tributes flood in for Ross-shire woman who was key stalwart of area's voluntary sector; Evanton woman Sheila Fletcher died last week after a short illness
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A ROSS-SHIRE stalwart of the voluntary sector has passed away.
Tributes have been pouring in for Sheila Fletcher, who died last week after a short illness.
Mrs Fletcher (65), from Evanton, was the chairwoman of Ross-Shire Voluntary Action and worked tirelessly to address the inequalities of people's lives.
Mrs Fletcher's daughter Fiona Jupp described her mum as a woman who had time for everyone.
She said: "She was a wonderful wife, mother. mother-in-law and grandmother, and she was a friend to so many. Doors were always open.
"We have been uplifted as a family by all the lovely tributes we have received for our mum, and they all have a common theme, she was caring, devoted and kind. Our mum always put others ahead of herself."
Shona Street, chief officer at Ross-Shire Voluntary Action, described Mrs Fletcher as a colleague and a friend.
She said: "Sheila was an incredible and inspirational woman. She will be a huge loss to her family, and to the whole community.
"Her heart was in the community and she worked for everyone.
"I had known Sheila for the time I was with Ross-Shire Voluntary Action and she is the reason that I wanted to work with the organisation.
"She was an incredible champion of inequality, she always checked to see that anything that we were doing was equal to everyone.
"She had a particular interest in transport and was fundamental in the setting up of two separate community transport schemes in the area."
She continued: "The schemes are now one but it was Sheila who was the driver of the schemes and the driving force behind them to work for the whole community.
"She was a mentor, a supporter and a friend. She was always fair and always supportive. She was a member of the team. She would drop in to have a cup of tea and to find out how we were all doing.
"She was inspirational."
"Words can't really describe how wonderful she was. I think it will take a long time to sink in.
"Sheila was even in contact with us the week before she passed away to find out things from us."
The Highland Third Sector Interface said Mrs Fletcher was a key part of so much of its work since its inception. From the organisation Mhairi Wylie said: "We have had the benefit of her support and friendship throughout the last seven years. Her commitment and dedication to the sector, and particularly to community transport, will continue to be an example to us all.
Our thoughts and best wishes, particularly at this current time, are with her family, friends and colleagues.
"Our thoughts are with her family and grandchildren who were at the centre of her life, and that she loved greatly, and especially with her husband Stan."
Lorraine Askew at the Bradbury Centre in Bonar Bridge said: "Sheila was instrumental in setting up the Dial a Bus service in East Sutherland which enabled us to get clients into the centre from outlying areas.
"Those who came to know Sheila saw a knowledgeable, caring individual who always put others first."
Mrs Fletcher is survived by Stan, and their children and partners: Andrew and Brett, Katie, Fiona and Andy and Susan and James and was a grandmother to ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A graveside service was held at Kiltearn Burial Ground on Tuesday May 12, at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations were invited for Macmillan Nurses and Ross-shire Voluntary Action.
