Tributes flood in for council trailblazer Sheila after she passes away
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Sheila Graham, who worked in the city’s civic building for 37 years before retiring as assistant council officer, died at the weekend.
The 70-year-old of Maxwell Drive, Inverness started work as a cleaner in the Town House before progressing to a supervisor and finally becoming the assistant council officer in 1991.
In this role Mrs Graham did everything from greeting important visitors, including the Queen, to making sure there was enough tea and coffee during meetings and has been praised by city provosts past and present.
She also made history in 2010 by becoming the first female official to be robed in the 400-year history of the Kirking of the council. In this role, Mrs Graham wore full dress and carried a symbolic spear, topped with an axe head, known as a Halbardier for all parades, including the annual Kirking.
Councillor Jimmy Gray, who was provost during the latter years of Mrs Graham’s career, said she could make even the most nervous people feel at home.
“Sheila was really warm and ideal for the role she had,” he said.
“The Town House can be quite an intimidating place and it can take some people a while to relax but she made it a breeze for anybody who visited.
“She had the most wonderful smile which made everybody feel at home and she took a real pride in her job which was clear to anybody who worked with her.”
Mrs Graham died peacefully at Raigmore Hospital on Sunday.
During her working life, she served under former provosts Allan Seller, William Smith and Robert Wynd.
Current Provost Helen Carmichael, who served as a councillor while Mrs Graham was in post, called her a “stalwart”.
“Nothing was ever too much trouble for Sheila,” she said.
“I knew her for about 12 years, she really was a stalwart of the Town House.
“Everything she did, she did well, from the big things to something as simple as finding a pen if I had forgotten to bring one – she could find absolutely anything in that building!”
Councillor Alex Graham, who took over as provost in 2012, shortly after Mrs Graham’s retirement called her role as assistant officer a step forward for female equality.
“I knew Sheila for about 20 years and she was a fantastic woman,” he said. “As she was the first woman to take up that role I do remember it being quite notable but I don’t remember any negative comments. There was no question that she was capable of the role. I think people saw it as a step forward for working women.”
Fellow Inverness councillor Ian Brown said: “Sheila was a lovely woman and so helpful. My sympathies go to her family. I’m sure she will be very much missed.”
Mrs Graham was the beloved wife of her late husband Charles and the much-loved mum of Hugh, Christine and Nigel.
A family notice described her as “a very special lady who will be greatly missed”.
All are welcome to attend her funeral at D Chisholm & Sons in Huntly Street at noon on Monday, thereafter to Kilvean Cemetery. The family has asked for people to wear a splash of colour.
