Sheena was born in Barshaw Hospital on the 21st of August 1931 to her parents Georgina and Archie. She had 2 sisters, Isobel and Angie, and 2 brothers Leslie and Archie. Sadly Angie passed away last year and Archie died when he was only 4. Since they were young Sheena and Leslie were always very close and to this day he was not only a brother but a good friend too, along with his wife Rose. Leslie and Rose were always there for Sheena. It is a great sadness that Leslie passed away last Sunday, the 9th of May.
Sheena went to the South School and when she left school had many jobs. She worked in the mills, first of all in the Anchor Mill, then the Ferguslie Mill. After that she had a job in Dobbie’s cigarette factory, then the bedding factory, and she also worked on the buses as a clippie.
It was whilst working on the buses that Sheena first met her husband Sam. Sam worked in the leatherworks and travelled on the buses every day. One day he asked her out and she said she would think about it!
She did, and decided she liked him! They started going out together and were married on 31st July 1964. They settled in Barrhead and lived in Barrhead all their married life.
Sheena and Sam enjoyed a happy marriage, got on well and enjoyed each other’s company. I daresay like all couples they had their fair share of ups and downs over the years but they remained completely loyal to each other all their married life. They enjoyed a devoted partnership that was to span over 40 years, and sadly when Sam passed away 3 years ago last December, Sheena lost not only her lifelong partner but her soulmate and best friend too. She had looked after Sam whilst he was ill and missed him very much indeed.
Sheena and Sam were blessed with three children; first to be born was their daughter Jacqueline, followed by Diane, and their happiness was complete when their son Craig came along. They were devoted grandparents to Kevin, Lauren and Michael. Sheen and Sam brought up Kevin until he was 16. He was a tricky wee boy, was always climbing things, especially lampposts. Sheena attended the Accident and Emergency Department more often with Kevin than her own children, but now that he is older he has grown into a nice young man. Lauren and Michael have turned out to be lovely teenagers, and we hope they will do well for themselves in the future.
Sheena and Sam also had an unofficial adopted family, Margaret, her children Gerald and Lorraine, and grandchildren, Nicole, Jamie, Chantelle, and Kian.
Sheena brought up Gerald from the age of two, and there’s no doubt he has turned out so well because of Sheena’s good influence.
Sheena was a very family oriented person and loved all her family very much indeed, was very proud of them. Her life revolved round her family and she was always there for them, there when they needed her, there when it mattered. They were very important to her and everything she did was for them.
There are many nieces and nephews in the family some of whom are here today.
Sheena had many friends throughout her life and she had an especially good friend called Jean. They have been friends for over 30 years. When they were younger they worked together in the schools as cleaners and they were as close as sisters, used to worry about each other, also enjoyed many good laughs and had some good times together.
On one occasion they were waiting outside Sammy Dow’s pub; both were wearing headscarves and were thoroughly mortified when they were spoken to by a man who was obviously under the impression that they were looking for business!!
Jean was like a second mother to Jacqueline, and her husband Robin was very close to the family also.
Last November Sheena moved from Braeside Crescent to Braeside Drive. Her next door neighbour Margaret was very kind to Sheena, was always very attentive and came in every day to see she was all right. The district nurse Pauline came in regularly, was always there to offer help comfort and support. Sheena enjoyed her company and her chat, and they used to slag each other off!
Sheena passed many a worthwhile hour doing crosswords and she enjoyed watching the soaps, especially Coronation Street, Neighbours and Emmerdale.
Those who knew Sheena knew her as a kind caring person with a heart of gold who would have done anything for anyone. She had a great sense of humour, enjoyed company and loved a bit of good natured banter. She enjoyed life and would not have wanted today to be a solemn and sad occasion. Jacqueline had been Sheena’s carer for the last 3 years and told me she was a good patient, very easy to look after. As Jacqueline said, ‘she was a nice wee wummie’.
