Sheila Jacob SHEILA Jacob, 59, of Royal Wootton Bassett, will be missed by many people who knew her in the various community roles that she fulfilled so cheerfully.

United Reformed Church minister the Rev Sarah Simpson, who led the funeral service that celebrated Sheila’s life and reflected her Welsh ancestry, said: “The suddenness of her illness and death has been a shock to her family, friends, the church and our community.”

In a warm tribute, she recalled Sheila’s laughter, enjoyment of conversation, fondness for hats and shoes, readiness to help others and love of baking – reflected in the many cakes and scones she made so willingly for local functions.

Sheila (nee Davies), was born in Hampshire where her father was serving in the Army, and in her youth the family spent some time in Malaya. Sheila’s working life was varied and included book keeping, administration and the hospitality industry. She was a credit controller, a youth club leader, telephonist and telex operator. She was involved in the local Credit Union and the town library. At the United Reformed Church in Wood Street, where she was an elder, she was the hall bookings secretary, and also helped with gardening and maintenance.

The Rev Simpson said: “During the repatriations Sheila brought visitors into this church. No one knew about it, but there were lots of kindnesses that she performed. If she knew of someone in need, she would try her best to help.”

Sheila and her husband Richard, who first met in 1998 through work, settled in Wootton Bassett in 2005, and were married in 2007.

Recently Sheila had signed up to join the ecumenical Open Tthe Book team who are part of a Bible Society project to take dramatised Bible stories into school assemblies. The minister said: “Sheila would have been in her element, and the children she met would have loved her. We give thanks to God for all the colour and joy that she brought into our lives, and for the many wonderful memories that she has left behind.”