Sheila Howlett

Sheila Howlett departed this life and went to be with the Lord on December 1, 2022.

She was born in Grimsby, England October 30, 1927 to John and Mary O’Donnell Leek.

Sheila’s mother died when she was a toddler and she was raised by her loving step mother, Lilly.  Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Jimmy, Mary, and her beloved sister, Margaret.

Sheila grew up in Ipswich, England and offered rich stories of growing up during “The War”.  When the bombing started in Ipswich, she had to leave her home and live with strangers in another area of England; she told of incidents of being awakened and having to rush to bomb shelters.  She recounted the good times too:  dancing with the American soldiers, who, she added, were not so light on their feet.  As a teenager, Sheila worked in a dress shop, Audrey’s.  She described her instruction from her “manageress”, “You will exclaim to each customer how beautiful they look in the dresses, no matter how bad they look!”  In 1948, Sheila married Peter Howlett and they had 57 years of happiness.

They were the loving parents of three children:  Jennifer Springer (Billy, of blessed memory), Larry, (Barbara), and Paul (Margo), ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

In 1956, Peter and Sheila immigrated to Canada, and in 1957 they came to West Virginia. Sheila loved games, and enjoyed playing cards with her bridge clubs, but she especially loved playing cards and games with her grandchildren (and she showed no mercy!)  As a proper English lady, she enjoyed her tea and toast every morning with an occasional dollop of marmalade. She was always ready to “put the kettle on”.  She was a member of The Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Sistersville, WV for 60 years and was involved in The Altar Guild.  She loved Friday night gatherings with her friends, especially her friend Lorraine Owens.  Lorraine’s friendship was a sheltering tree to Sheila after her beloved husband died. Sheila was known for her potato salad, sausage rolls, and apple pies.  In 2017, at 90 years old, she traveled back to her homeland one last time and during that trip, she attended her childhood parish, Saint Pancras, (and made a special effort to sit in her old childhood pew); she had fish and chips at Felixstowe, and she visited her childhood home.  To honor Sheila's, memory, “This is the day the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24

The Howlett family would like to thank Sheila‘s caregivers, especially Pam, for the loving and dedicated care they offered our mother.  We would also like to thank Glenwood Community and Ohio Hospice for the dignity and respect they showed our mother.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Rosary Altar Guild, 21 Rosary Rd, New Martinsville, WV, 26155.

Visitation will be Monday December 5, 9:00-10:45 am at Myers Funeral Home, 600 Main St., Sistersville, WV.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 519 Main St. Sistersville, WV.