Funeral details of long-standing councillor Sheila

THE funeral of long-standing Warrington councillor Sheila Woodyatt – who died last Saturday – will take place on Friday, February 2 at 12 noon, her family confirmed today.
It will take place at St Peter’s Church, Lymm – only a couple of hundred yards from her home The service will be followed by cremation at Altrincham Crematorium.
The family has asked that mourners should not feel they should wear black, but rather attend the service wearing bright clothes.
Only members of the family should send flowers but donations can be made to St Peter’s Church
Meanwhile, members and officers of Warrington South Conservative Association have expressed their grief at Cllr Woodyatt’s passing.
She was a long-standing member, a member of the executive and a Conservative councillor for almost 40 years – “a genuine pillar of the community.”
In a statement, the association said: “Sheila was a local councillor first and foremost, who always thought of her constituents above politics. Her effect on the community for people of all walks of life is evidenced by the outpouring of sentiment since her passing at the weekend.”
Fellow councillor Kath Buckley said: “Sheila was an exacting, strong-minded person. You knew exactly where you stood with her, which is refreshing in this day and age. As a colleague and mentor you could not ask for a more knowledgeable person on Lymm, Warrington and the area in general, on all issues. If you needed advice she was the ‘go to’ person.
“What people might not know is that without any fuss she often solved issues for you whilst you were still at the concerned stage. A chair of many committees, Mayor of Warrington (2000/2001) she was well respected by all politicians no matter their persuasion.
“As a colleague  l will miss her, as a friend and mentor she will be irreplaceable.”
The association statement added: “Her directness would at times make you smile wryly or even laugh out loud . She had a knack of deflating any situation, and was not afraid to do so.  Nothing was too much trouble for her Party or most importantly her constituents.
“From the association’s perspective, Sheila was ‘Lymm’ and everyone knew her. She was a mine of information for whatever problem arose in the community. She has been the constant, representing Conservatism in Warrington since the 1970s. She is going to be a difficult act to follow and will be sorely missed.”
Former Warrington South MP David Mowat, recalled that on an early visit to  Lymm with Cllr Woodyatt they must have passed about 100 people in the street. At least three quarters of them knew Sheila by name and vice versa.
He said. “I often used to listen in to council meetings and was always struck by how articulate, concise and knowledgeable her speeches were. At the time she was responsible for Warrington Schools which was an area of real passion for her. She was a terrific councillor and wonderful lady. We will all miss her.”
Stephen Taylor, deputy chairman of Warrington South Conservatives added: “We would like to thank everyone for their kind and sincere messages. Our thoughts are with Sheila’s family, particularly following the relatively recent loss of Sheila’s husband Neville”