Former Angus Guides commissioner Sheila Stewart

Sheila Stewart, of Newtyle, who devoted years of service to the Girl Guides and community causes in Angus, has died aged 93.

She served as county commissioner for Girl Guiding in Angus from 1975 to 1981 after previous service as district and then divisional commissioner.

For 32 years, she was a member of the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service and delivered meals to the elderly around Newtyle and district.

Together with her late husband Bruce, she was a committed member of Eassie and Nevay Church and latterly attended Glamis Church.

Sheila Cant Macdonald was born in Dundee in March 1930 to electrical engineer Robert Macdonald and his wife Annie and grew up with siblings Ella and Bill.

Her education took place at Morgan Academy and when she left school she trained as a secretary.

Sheila went to work at WR Stewart and Son Hacklemakers in Dundee, where she met her future husband Bruce Stewart who, along with his brother Rennie Stewart, was a director of the family business.

The couple married in Baxter Park Church, Dundee, and went on to have two of a family, Lesley and Malcolm.

They began married life in Auchterhouse and in 1960 moved to Nevay Park, Newtyle, which still remains the family home.

Sheila had been a Guide member in her youth and when she moved to Newtyle she was approached to become involved again, thus beginning what would be a long association with the movement.

As part of her service as a commissioner in Angus, Sheila was involved in the development of the new Ladenford Den Girl Guiding campsite near Forfar and in 2019 was delighted to attend the 50th anniversary of its opening.

After her retiral from active Guide work, Sheila maintained a close interest in the movement.

When Bruce died in 2008, Sheila continued her involvement with Eassie and Nevay SWRI where she had served in various roles including as president. She was thrilled to be made honorary president in 2010.

Her daughter, Lesley Weir, said: “My mother was very community orientated and supported many events and organisations in the village.

“She was also part of a group of interested parties who set about raising funds for the redevelopment of Eassie and Nevay Hall.

“Both my parents were involved in Eassie and Nevay Church and when it closed, my mother was a regular at Glamis Kirk.

“She adored and took a close interest in her grandchildren, Richard and Jamie, and her greatgrandchildren, Emily and Angus.

“She did move from Nevay Park into Newtyle to downsize about 10 years ago and spent the last few weeks of her life in Meigle Country House Nursing Home where she was very well cared for.”

Sheila Stewart.