The sight of Sheila and Roger Hudson making their way together along the Cord Road to or from the town centre was a common one. It seemed that they were always together and, in the true spirit of partnership, they did everything together.

Sadly that partnership is no more as Sheila passed away on Sunday last causing much sorrow among her neighbours and many friends in the artistic and musical community of the town.

Sheila was a lover of song, music and dance, the life and soul of the party, who will be sorely missed by Roger, their two son’s Simon and Brian and four grandchildren Tara, Alana, Oisin and Lincoln.

“Sheila died on Sunday at 8.45 am, peacefully at home” said Roger. “So she escaped the worst that Alzheimer’s and cancer can do, for which we are very grateful.”

“We are glad she went before the really painful and confusing stage, she kept her smile to the end.”

Sheila O’Gorman grew up in the 1940s and 50s in a tenement in Dorset Street in North Dublin – two big rooms at the top of a three-storey Georgian terraced house, the youngest of ten raised by a widowed mother.

Leaving school at 14, Sheila did manual and shop assistant work before emigrating to London, where most of her siblings had gone before, several en route to Australia.

Acting at the famous amateur Unity Theatre, she met and later married Roger Hudson, poet, artist and filmmaker.

Two children and a mature degree later, Sheila worked as a community worker and was prime mover in the revival of Unity Theatre and its chair. Unseated in a power tussle, Sheila and Roger moved back to Dublin and then to Drogheda.

Sheila participated actively in social and community activities throughout her life. In Drogheda, she sang with the Cecelian Singers and was active in Drogheda Area Women’s Network, Cord Road and Environs Residents Association and Drogheda Creative Writers. A book of her memories is in preparation.

Sheila’s funeral will take place at 11.45am tomorrow, Friday 26th May, in St. Augustines Church, Shop Street, Drogheda.

You can view Sheila's Funeral Service on Friday at 11:45am via Augustinian Church webcam by clicking here.