Tributes paid to retired teacher after A417 crash death

Sheila Shirley, 72, died in a crash on the A417 at the junction with the B4508 last Thursday.

A farmer’s daughter, Mrs Shirley was born in Devon, before moving to Oxfordshire when she married her husband Dave.

The couple lived in Baulking, with Mrs Shirley working as a SENCO teacher most of her career, at Tower Hill Community Primary School and then Ducklington Primary School.

She had previously been a HGV driver.

Read again: Husband pays tribute to wife who died in crash

Her daughter, Kara Terry, said her mum was adventurous and ‘busier than ever’ during her retirement.

“Even though she was 72, she was young at heart and cheery,” said Mrs Terry.

“She was adventurous and loved to travel, always going on holiday and to live music events.

“She was involved in the Women’s Institute and local church, and had many friends far and wide – she was full of life and glamorous.

“She’d be out walking every day and loved going for dog walks, she had a great affinity with all animals.

“Despite her age, it was only a couple of years ago that she stopped horse riding.”

Sheila Shirley with grandsons Max and George. Picture supplied by family

Although Mrs Terry, 41, lives in Lincoln now, that distance didn’t stop the family seeing each other.

“She was the cornerstone of our family, always planning everything including holidays and get togethers,” said Mrs Terry.

“Even though she was two hours away, we would speak daily and go on an awful lot of adventures.

“She was retired but busier than ever, always doing something.”

Julie Woolford and her husband Paul counted Mr and Mrs Shirley as their best friends, reminiscing on the holidays the four used to go on.

Mrs Woolford said: “I met Sheila 25 years ago when she was my SENCO at Tower Hill.

“We started going to dinner dances together, then we would go on holiday together leaving the men with some peace.

“She was happy, friendly, loving and would go out her way to help others.

“Her and Dave were our best friends.”

Sheila Shirley with Julie and Paul Woolford. Picture supplied by the Woolfords

Mrs Woolford said herself and her husband would miss Mrs Shirley ‘tremendously’.

“She loved her dancing and karaoke, and the four of us would often go on holiday together as couples,” she said.

“She was such a lovely, caring person and a keen gardener.

“I’d always be asking her what a certain flower was and she’d always have the answer.

“She was such a special person and we’ll miss her tremendously.”

Jackie Papps knew Mrs Shirley as their husbands served together in the Royal Air Force.

Mrs Papps said: “Sheila was a very kind lady and would always help people, she loved her family and grandchildren very much.

“We’re just so shocked and devastated, and trying to get our heads round it, it seems so unfair.”